Local History Collection

Portsmouth’s local and social history collections have been built up since 1945, based on the handful of items that survived the bombing in 1941. The collections now number well over 30,000 items.

The collections include an enormous variety of material. Domestic items date from the seventeenth century to the present day and include furniture, stained glass, lighting and heating equipment, electrical goods and kitchen appliances. Official civic activity is well represented in the collections, with regalia, weights and measures, uniforms and equipment from the City police and fire services, including two fire engines, school equipment and items from the public dental service and local psychiatric hospital. There is a collection of costume, especially strong in items for the mid. twentieth century. Working life in the city is represented by a wide range of tools, artefacts from local businesses and tradesmen, including iron founding and wheelwrights.

As these collections are so diverse, they have been divided into groups. Use the links below to explore each part of the collection.

Topographical paintings, prints and drawings collection

Please go to our Enquiries page if you have an enquiry about this collection.