Birmingham People’s History Archive

The Birmingham People’s History Archive was founded in 2021 as a publicly accessible resource on the history of working people, with a focus on Birmingham and immediately surrounding areas.

The archive comprises over 60 linear metres of local, national and international materials including pamphlets, manuscript material, journals, photographs, sound materials and ephemera. Our collection dates from the late 19th century to early 21st century, and has been built up by individuals and through donations, over many years. Further materials not yet deposited in the archive are incorporated into the collection, subject to available space, accommodation and ongoing cataloguing. The archive is volunteer-run, and housed on the upper floor of the Birmingham & Midland Institute, central Birmingham. We organise a range of community activities, welcome and support researchers. BPHA thanks Historic England and The National Archives for grant funding in support of our development and activities, and for their ongoing advice.