Archives Services in Milton Keynes

1. Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies, Aylesbury
Comprising the County Archive and Local Studies Centre, CBS is the historic archive for the county of Buckinghamshire, including Milton Keynes, the formal record of the borough and the first point of call for public enquiries.

Housing many records of local history, it is the first point of call for people interested in learning more about the history of Milton Keynes from original documents. CBS works well with the Local Studies and Family History Centre based in CMK Library, Milton Keynes, to provide certain types of records and documents locally. These include parish registers, wills, census information, maps and other documents. CBS also provides Archive Services for Milton Keynes Council and houses its archives as part of an annual service agreement.

Website: www.buckscc.gov.uk/archives


In addition, specialist archive exists at the following venues:

2. Open University Archive
3. Living Archive, Wolverton
4. Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre


2. Open University Library and Archive










Situated in and around the picturesque setting of Walton Hall, a large house of local importance in the east of Milton Keynes, Open University Library and Archive houses a library and media archive of some importance. Much of the collection stems from material donated from national figures of political importance such as Jennie Lee and Betty Boothroyd with the other large contribution coming from the Open University’s work worldwide.

Famous for its online and distance learning courses, the Open University Archive also has much audio and visual material accessible to the public.

Website: www.open.ac.uk


3. Living Archive, Wolverton
Based in the heart of the Victorian Railway Town of Wolverton in the north of the Milton Keynes area, Living Archive has amassed a significantly important archive based on social and community heritage. Originally a by-product from collecting material to support community arts performances, the archive has now developed into an important part of Living Archive’s work.

The main success of this Archive has been its use in the Community Heritage Initiative project based at Bletchley Library in the south of Milton Keynes. We are now looking to roll out this best practice model is now looking to roll out to other areas of Milton Keynes. Work is also ongoing to get more of the Archive accessible over the Internet.

Website: www.livingarchive.org.uk


4. MK CDC, Bradwell Abbey
MK CDC based at the historic Bradwell Abbey has collected a fantastic archive of documents and photographs of Milton Keynes, through its educational work on New Towns and urban planning. This archive replicates to some extent the Development Corporation archive housed at the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies and discussions between the two organisations English Partnerships and MK Council have begun to co-ordinate information for the public.

Website: www.mkcdc.org.uk


There are also smaller archives attached to the museums at Bletchley Park, Cowper and Newton Museum, Olney and Milton Keynes Museum, Wolverton.