John Goodchild, M.Univ
Local History Study Centre
Below Central Library
Drury Lane
Wakefield WF1 2TD

Phone: 01924 298929 (Centre); 01924 891871 (Home)

Location/Direction:
The Centre can be accessed via the car park at the rear of Drury Lane Library. Note that the Centre is entered by three steps.

See this location on a Google Map (opens a new window)

An Independent Local  History Study Centre for the Central West Riding. The Centre was opened in 1995 to provide a regional historical service to individuals and communities. The purpose of the Centre is to utilise the Collection through :-

• historical research facilities
• advice and discussion
• lectures, talks and guided walks
• group visits to the Centre
• frequently changing displays
• the continuing growth of the Collection

The Centre is open, free of charge, by appointment only, at any time which is convenient to both the user/s and Mr Goodchild, including evenings and weekends. All are welcome - dogs too.    

Appointments can be made by letter or by telephone, although costs preclude the provision of Ansaphone, fax or email services.

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An Independent Local History Study Centre for the Central West Riding.  

The Collection    

This relates primarily, although by no means exclusively, to the area of the West Riding shown on the map.   

The Collection includes material from the twelfth century onwards, and it is especially rich in source materials of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Almost any subject is illustrated through the manuscripts, books, maps and illustrations in the Collection. There are over one thousand boxes of manuscripts alone, and these reflect the stories of hundreds of individuals and institutions through the centuries.  

The material has been derived from active collecting over more than four decades. Gifts, purchases or finds have come from or have been made by industrialists, institutions, solicitors, accountants, surveyors, individuals, and from a constant combing of auction sales and booksellers and second-hand shops, and from derelict premises. Its concern is more with two-dimensional material than with objects, except where the latter come with the former. The Collection continues to grow.  

Arrangements have been made so that at Mr Goodchild's death it passes to the ownership of the Wakefield MDC.  

Indexes and Lists   

A card index of some tens of thousands of cards is available and there are detailed listings of larger collections. 

There are also Mr Goodchild's own research files - some hundreds in number.  

Research   

This is the central activity of the Centre. It is the prime concern of Mr Goodchild's life, and from it he has not only derived immense satisfaction but published some one hundred and thirty books and essays and given many thousands of lectures and talks.  

There remain uncountable opportunities for further research, and the Centre's collection is primarily for that purpose.  

Lectures, Talks and Displays   

The Centre is able to seat some two dozen persons.  

Groups or individuals are offered lecture series or single talks, and each of these will continue to be illustrated with examples of the source materials on which it is based.  Special displays will be put on for visitors who have a particular interest in some place, person or subject.  

Mr Goodchild is available to give talks and lectures outside the Centre, free of charge and, of course, by prior appointment.  

General talks on the Centre and its Collection can also be given at the Centre. The displays at the Centre are changed every few months.  

Reproduction   

Photocopying is not available, but source material, where suitable in its format, may be photographed - written acknowledgment being made on the face of any photograph as to its coming from this Collection.  

Charges   

No charge is made for any service whatever.  

Insurance   

Visitors to the Centre come as Mr Goodchild's invited guests.
He is unable to provide insurance cover.  

Security   

The accommodation occupied by the Collection is tenanted by Mr Goodchild from Wakefield Council, who have been most helpful in this matter. It is suitably airy and warm for both the Collection and visitors.  

The Centre does not contain items of individually great value monetarily, but its security has been strengthened and there is a modern alarm system in operation. There is also a suitable emergency fire exit, and firefighting equipment.