Archives Catalogue
Introduction
The Stow-on-the-Wold Archive, established and maintained by the Stow and District Civic Society, brings together documents and photographs recording the history of Stow and the surrounding area and villages. It spans a long time period: from the earliest human settlers in Neolithic times and the evidence of pre-human history that has been revealed in local quarries, through the Roman and medieval periods, to more recent centuries right up to the present day.
The archive aims to be an accessible and useful resource, relevant to a wide range of people interested in the history of Stow and the surrounding area. It provides information on key historical events and their commemorations, on the development of the physical and social infrastructure, and on important buildings and people. Just as importantly, it includes material on the day to day lives of citizens of Stow and its surroundings over the centuries.
Documents continue to be added to the archive, helping to fill in some of the historical gaps, but also recording current events and developments – information which should be of interest to future generations and historians. The Civic Society is very grateful to all who have contributed documents and photographs to the archive. The archive is an important component of the Civic Society’s mission to promote appreciation of Stow’s past, enjoyment of the present, and pursuit of a positive vision for the future.
The documents and photographs are collated under two main headings:
Social and General History: the ‘A’ series of box files
The Built Environment: the ‘B’ series of box files.
The headings of the box files are presented in the following index. Within each file, the material is curated into subjects, and within them, items. This catalogue records the files, subjects and items.
An ‘Oversize’ file contains those items that due to their size and/or shape do not fit into the box files in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ series. Each has been assigned an oversize file number together with box/subject/item numbering from the relevant box file and subject. Each oversize file item is therefore referenced in the appropriate box file and subject.