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    Wells City Archives and Civic Assets

    The City Council is the custodian of a wide range of artefacts ranging from the tiniest seal to large portraits and from civic gifts to furniture and Caroline maces.

    It is less well known that the City Council also cares for a unique collection of records which go back far beyond the Charter granted by King John in 1201 and which chart a fascinating history of civic life and business through the ages. 

    The care of all of these and their promotion through exhibitions is overseen by Archives & Civic Assets and the City's Archivist.

    The Records

    Wells City Archives contains many thousands of original documents which chart much of the history of Wells. There are some which date back nearly 900 years. There is a huge variety of records, ranging from older historical material such as charters, convocation books and medieval title deeds, to a large collection of Victorian material, to many different types of document dating from living memory and up to the present day. These include records relating to local clubs and societies, railways, health, water supply, allotments, royal visits and markets. There is also a collection of maps and plans, and there are a number of prints, posters and photographs.

    Enquiries and Visitors

    Everybody is welcome to use the City Archives, brief queries by letter, ‘phone or email are welcome. If you wish to visit the Archives, please contact the Wells & Mendip Museum, 8 Cathedral Green, Wells, Somerset BA5 2UE, telephone 01749 673477.

    Visits to the Reading Room are by appointment only, arranged with the Wells & Mendip Museum.

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