V&A Archive

The V&A Archive is a rich resource for the study of the history of the V&A and its collections, and of the broader history of art and design. It was established in 1992 to preserve the Museum's institutional records and make them accessible to the public, as required under the Public Records Act. These institutional records date from 1837 through to the present day and comprise items from every department in the Museum.

What can be researched in the V&A Archive?

  • The acquisition and provenance of the V&A's collections, recorded in tens of thousands of correspondence files, inventories and photograph albums.
  • Information about specific individuals or institutions and their relationships with the V&A.
  • The work of specialist advisors (so-called 'Art Referees'), 1863 – 86, such as Walter Crane, William Morris and Frederic Leighton.
  • Exhibitions held within the V&A or to which the Museum lent objects, from 1862 to the present day.
  • The histories and development of the V&A and its predecessors, including the Government School of Design, the Museum of Ornamental Art at Marlborough House and the South Kensington Museum.
  • The history of the V&A's departments and branch museums, including the Circulation Department, the Museum of Childhood and the Theatre Museum.
  • The architectural history of the V&A, including models, photographs and plans.
  • Posters, publicity, press coverage and the V&A's evolving corporate identity.
  • Cultural developments and events with which the V&A was associated e.g. the international exhibitions of the 19th century or the progress of art education.
  • Particular periods of history or social history e.g. the V&A during wartime.
  • Museology in general e.g. conservation, building and gallery design, arrangement and display of collections.
Access

Access

Location
Blythe House Archive & Library Study Room | Gate B | Blythe House | 23 Blythe Road | London | W14 0QX
View on Google maps

Opening times
Tuesday – Friday, 10.00 – 16.30

Planned closures 2019
Tuesday 13 August – Friday 23 August (annual stocktake)
Tuesday 24 December 2019 – Wednesday 1 January 2020
* Friday 18 December 2020 – Spring/Summer 2023: collections access at Blythe House will be closed for relocation to the new Collections and Research Centre in Stratford's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Specific arrangements for closure and relocation of the V&A Archive to the V&A South Kensington will be announced later this year.

How to access the archive
The archive can be accessed with a V&A Library Card and by appointment only.

You can apply for a free Library Card by creating a user account either in advance of your visit or in person on your arrival. This card is also valid for use in the National Art Library and the Prints & Drawings Study Room at the V&A, South Kensington.

On your first visit to the archives you will need to show current ID and proof of address (e.g. bank statement, utility bill, driving licence, etc.), in order to complete the joining process and be issued with a Library Card.

To make an appointment to view material, please call +44 (0)20 7942 2340 or contact us online.

Please note, we strongly advise making an appointment at least two weeks in advance of your visit. Appointments are only valid with a confirmation email.

Search the Archive

Search the Archive

A selection of our catalogues are available on Search the Archives, with more currently in development.

We have access to a wide range of resources – please contact us online for assistance in identifying materials relevant to your research. A helpful overview of the scope and content of the V&A Archive can be found in Anthony Burton's Vision and accident: the story of the Victoria and Albert Museum (London, 1999) and John Physick's The Victoria and Albert Museum: a history of its building (London, 1982).

Research guides

Research guides

Use our Research guides to discover popular topics of study relating to the V&A collections, buildings and history. These guides describe books, manuscripts, photographs and other sources which are available in the V&A Archive, and offer some introductory guidance to their use.

Blog

Blog

Visit the Tales from the Archives blog to discover interesting facts about the history of the V&A and hidden stories from our various archives. We will also keep you informed about our current and future projects, offer sneak previews of our new acquisitions as well as insights into what it's like to run a busy archive service.
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