Introduction

Archive buildings are the first stage of protection for the materials kept within them and, as such, are crucial in ensuring survival. Archive buildings, of greater and lesser complexity, have been developed from this basic premise all over the world, adapted to differing climates and the needs of the archives themselves. The importance of understanding the need to build them in the right place, of constructing them in an appropriate way, and of employing experienced practitioners to minimize the threats posed to fragile materials, cannot be overestimated. Likewise, the issues surrounding the adaptation of buildings for use as archives must be appreciated and considered.

This chapter looks at:

How has the concept of archive buildings developed?

Continuity of custody in secure ownership constitutes the fundamental guarantee of archival authenticity. Hence, security has always been at the forefront of all decisions on the storage of archival material. This is obvious from the choice of storage places over time – for example, the Qumran caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls (from 200 BC) were hidden, the massive bronze chests in the Forbidden Palace in Beijing in which documents of the Chinese dynasties were stored from the 15th century, and the construction of the Lyndon B. Johnson Museum and Library to house presidential papers of the 20th century. The concept that a building must also be attractive to users and staff is of more recent origin, and has been achievable partly as a result of applying modern technology, including electronic security. This change also mirrors the recognition that public archives are the documents of the people, who have a right to access information and to consult both historic and contemporary documents.

How did archive buildings develop in the UK?

Keeping the documents of the Crown, and subsequently of central government, safe was a major concern in the UK from the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.