From Big Ben to the Liberty Bell: the archives of Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Wednesday 23rd January 2019: 18.00 – 19.30 (doors open at 17.30)

Entrance to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Founded in 1570, Whitechapel Bell Foundry is the oldest manufacturing business still in operation in the United Kingdom. The historic foundry in Whitechapel closed in June 2017. In preparation for the firm’s move, London Metropolitan Archives worked with the company to safeguard its rich business archives and the records are now safely deposited at LMA. The cataloguing project began on 19 November 2018 with the arrival of the project intern. Richard Wiltshire outlines the history of the firm, highlights from the collection and transfer process, and future plans to provide access to this outstanding collection.

Richard Wiltshire is Senior Archivist for Business Archives at London Metropolitan Archives (LMA), managed by the City of London Corporation. He joined LMA in 2002, and between 2004 and April 2008, Richard was the Archivist responsible for acquisitions at LMA. He has led depositor-funded cataloguing projects including Earls Court and Olympia, and Standard Chartered Bank. He supervised the acquisition of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry archive in 2017. He is also a Trustee of Business Archives Council and a member of the Crisis Management Team for Business Archives.

Advance booking is essential. Please book your place through Eventbrite or by telephoning Alex Fisher (AfL Secretary) on 020 7594 8818.

Free for AfL members, £6 for non-members. Refreshments provided.

Wednesday 23rd January 2019: 18.00 – 19.30 (doors open at 17.30)