Neath Antiquarian Society Collections

Catalogues of the Neath Antiquarian Society's archive collections, listed as part of 'Unlocking Neath's Archival Heritage', a special project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund

Formed in 1923, the Neath Antiquarian Society has taken a leading role in recording and safeguarding Neath's heritage. Early in its history the society began to collect archives relating to the local area and further afield.

Over the decades a considerable amount of material was collected, dating from the 15^th to the 20^th centuries, but it was not made available to the general public and lacked a proper catalogue. 2001 saw the launch of a joint venture between the Neath Antiquarian Society and the West Glamorgan Archive Service: with Heritage Lottery Funding, the entire archive collection was catalogued in detail by staff at the West Glamorgan Archive Service and made fully available to the public for the first time in 2003.

Where can the documents be seen?
The Neath Antiquarian Society archive collections are held at the Neath Mechanics' Institute. Click here for details of its location and opening hours.

What archives are available?

• Records of the Neath Antiquarian Society
• Research papers of prominent local historians connected to the society
• Neath borough records
• Records of manors and landed estates, including the Gnoll, Eaglesbush, Briton Ferry, Bach-y-gwreiddyn, Little Hill, Coytrahen and Neath Abbey estates
• Collections of papers regarding local events, businesses, chapels and industry,
• Maps and plans of the local area.

Click the links below to see detailed catalogues.