The Sandwell Walker Walking through Sandwell’s past

Preserving Sandwell’s Past

A permanent historical collection

The Heritage Archive brings together original source material gathered through archive research, field investigations and contributions from local residents.

Every item helps record the places, industries, communities and people that shaped Smethwick, Oldbury, West Bromwich, Tipton, Rowley Regis and Wednesbury.

Whether you are tracing a lost street, researching your family history or simply exploring the past, the archive is designed to make Sandwell’s heritage freely accessible.

Curated Exhibitions

Featured Collections

Begin with four major collections currently being researched and expanded.

The Collections

Browse the Heritage Archive

Choose a collection to explore related photographs, research, documents, films and historical evidence.

Historic Photographs Street scenes, schools, parks, industries, housing, public buildings and everyday life across Sandwell. Historic Maps & Plans Ordnance Survey mapping, estate layouts, boundary maps, canal plans, railway plans and development schemes. Documents & Records Council reports, planning material, trade directories, archive correspondence and original research evidence. Newspapers & Publications Local news reports, advertisements, obituaries, industrial features and community publications. Buildings & Architecture Schools, churches, libraries, public halls, cinemas, public houses and demolished landmarks. Industry & Manufacturing Glassmaking, engineering, metalworking, breweries, brickworks, foundries and industrial estates. Housing & Estates Victorian terraces, council housing, tower blocks, maisonettes, redevelopment and lost estates. Transport Railways, tramways, canals, buses, bridges, stations and the roads that connected Sandwell. Parks & Open Spaces Historic parks, recreation grounds, boating lakes, memorials, bandstands and changing landscapes. People Biographies and archive material connected with the people who helped shape Sandwell. Local Memories Personal recollections of schools, streets, factories, shops, childhood and community life. Film & Video Archive Watch historical films alongside the research, maps and archive evidence behind each story.

New Acquisitions

Recently Added

View the Archive

The digital collection is being prepared.

New photographs, maps and documents will appear here as archive items are catalogued and published.

Explore the Borough

Browse by Town

Discover archive material connected with each of Sandwell’s six historic towns.

Smethwick Explore the collection Oldbury Explore the collection West Bromwich Explore the collection Tipton Explore the collection Rowley Regis Explore the collection Wednesbury Explore the collection

Community Collection

Contribute to the Archive

Some of the most important historical evidence survives in family albums, personal papers and local memories.

Photographs, maps, postcards, school pictures, newspaper cuttings, documents and recollections can all help preserve another part of Sandwell’s story.

Do you have something that belongs in the archive?

Contact the Project

Our Long-Term Aim

Building Sandwell’s digital museum

The Heritage Archive is an ongoing project. As new research is completed and additional material is discovered, the collection will continue to grow into a freely accessible historical resource for future generations.