Local History
Historic background to collections
The main sources of archaeological material have been excavations by both amateur societies
(including the Museum Archaeological Society) and professional field-units. Much of the material
entering the collection has been found by the City Council’s Field Unit, which has been involved in
a long-term research excavation at Hulton Abbey, and undertakes watching briefs and evaluations
throughout Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area.
Major additions to the collection have occurred as a result of transfers from other repositories,
including Staffordshire County Council, Stafford Borough Council and the private Museum at
Denstone College. Initially, Ford Green Hall started as a display of ‘Folk-life’ artefacts.
Collecting social history material began to happen seriously and in a more focussed manner from
the 1970s onwards.
Summary
The Local History collection promotes a strong sense of identity and place, inspiring pride in the
City as well as celebrating the creativity and achievements of its people.
Stoke-on-Trent Museums Service is the principal repository for archaeological material from the
whole of the Staffordshire county area, and recognised as such by English Heritage. The
collection includes significant finds of post-medieval ceramics from the sites of former local pottery
manufactories, generating an extensive body of material which complements the museum’s
ceramic collections.
In recent years, a number of ‘Treasure’ items of national importance have been collected. These
artefacts have been acquired under the legislation of the Treasure Act (1996, revised 2002).
A wide range of material reflecting the cultural, social and economic life of the people of Stoke-on-
Trent is included in the collection. Much of it is of 19th and 20th century in origin, with one or two
earlier objects. Contemporary items from the 21st century are also collected.
Existing strengths:
Spitfire: The Mark XVI model, representing locally-born R.J. Mitchell’s triumph of aircraft
design and a cultural icon for the City.
Photographic collection: A large collection of photographs, transparencies and glass
plates, mainly representing views of Staffordshire, local industries and portraits of local
people. It includes the Blake collection of glass plates of late 19th to early 20th century
Staffordshire views.
20th century community history: This includes material reflecting the everyday life of
Stoke-on-Trent families in the latter part of the 20th century. Particular themes well
represented include:
Community life material relating to customs and beliefs, social, industrial and political
organisations, local government, public services, amenities, entertainment, popular
culture and defence.
Domestic and family life artefacts including household fittings, furnishings and equipment
relating to heating, lighting, sanitation, cleaning and maintenance. Material relating to
the preparation and consumption of food, hobbies and pastimes.
Personal life including personal records, mementoes and memorials, clothing,
accessories and biographical material relating to named individuals.
Working life including material relating to any working activity undertaken in The
Potteries, including trades, crafts, extractive and manufacturing industries, retail
distribution, professions, transport and services, and ancillary activities.
Arnold Bennett collection: This collection includes the papers, diaries, letters and
ephemera associated with the writer. There are also a collection of watercolours by Arnold
Bennett in the arts collection.
Transport memorabilia: The North Staffordshire Railway Collection includes postcards,
tickets and reminiscences from former railway workers. There is also material relating to
the Potteries Motor Traction Company and a collection of tram ephemera.
A key object is Oliver Lodge’s igniter – a major invention in the history and development of
the internal combustion engine.
Industrial history collection: Machinery, tools and equipment relating to the pottery
industry and associated trades have been collected. The majority of collections at Etruria
Industrial Museum are on long term loan from Jesse Shirley.
Post-medieval ceramics: This includes excavated pottery produced in Stoke-on-Trent - an
extremely important resource in the study of the development of the region’s ceramic
industry.
Roman artefacts: This includes the Lightwood Hoard and Trent Vale pottery.
Iron age gold torcs: A goldsmith’s hoard found near Alrewas, with examples of
twisting/torquing gold which is unique in this country.
Stafford late Saxon pottery: One metric tonne of 10th to 11thc entury pottery made in
Stafford and traded as far as Dublin.
Bronze age sword: Two joining fragments of the same 3000-year-old sword from two
separate hilltops in Stoke-on-Trent and as such a unique find.
Pre-historic to medieval treasure items: This area includes a Bronze Age gold bracelet;
Roman Britain silver jewellery; Roman Britain coins; a rare 11th century German gold brooch
and a 13th-14thcentury personalized silver seal matrix.
