The National Brewery Heritage Trust is a charity set up to look after and promote the vast archive of brewing related material held at the National Brewery Centre in Burton upon Trent and they have recently launched a Crowdfunding appeal to create an on-line catalogue.
“The project will cost £50,000 and £30,000 has already been raised in donations from generous individuals and organisations,” states the Chairman Harry White. “We want people to enjoy their collection but currently only 5000 of our half a million items are on display at the National Brewing centre in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. That means 99% of the collection is hidden from view in our archives, making it impossible for anyone interested in British beer, pubs and brewing to appreciate what’s there.”
The archive itself is a goldmine of information stretching back over 200 years, from photographs, bottles, beer labels, breweriana, manuscripts and company record books, many of which are unique.
“We want everyone to be able to see what we’ve got,” says Harry. “We’re developing an on-line catalogue which will enable many more people to enjoy this unique record of our brewing heritage and to appreciate the cultural, social and economic role of our industry.
On a personal note, I am eternally in debt to the National Brewery Centre and the archive. When I started my first research project ten years ago, I was given access to the Ind Coope and Samuel Allsopp company records which they hold, without these I would never have written my first book. It was also through the Curator Vanessa Winstone that I found a publisher.
History should be shared and not locked away in dusty boxes; it belongs to all of us and by having an on-line catalogue, this will inspire others to dig into the past and write articles and books.
The crowdfunding campaign to raise the remaining £20,000 runs from 29th May – 23rd July and you can donate by visiting https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/brewing-heritage-online
If you have any interest in the history of brewing and beer can I please encourage you to support the cause.