Welcome to Hampshire Archives Trust
The Hampshire Archives Trust (HAT) is a member-led charity that works to support and promote Hampshire’s rich archival heritage.
We deliver this work by giving grants, through education and events, and developing local history networks – preserving memories for the future.
HAT works closely with and supports the Hampshire Record Office in Winchester, the Southampton Archives and the Portsmouth History Centre which between them hold archive collections dating back over 1000 years from across Hampshire.
You can help to save important local archives by applying to us for a grant to fund your project, becoming a HAT member or making a donation.
The Perfect Gift
Want to buy an exciting and thoughtful gift for someone? Why not buy them a Hampshire Archives Trust membership? It’s so easy.
= figures below relate to grants awarded since 2018 to March 2025.
Grants Awarded
Projects Funded
Success Rate
Upcoming Events
Tithe Barns… and their imposters
2025Sep10 Event description: Tithe Barns were structures used throughout Britain to store produce paid as ‘tithes’, a religious tax. Joseph Rogers outlines the history of these buildings from the medieval period through to modern day, whilst highlighting a number of relevant barn buildings local to Hampshire and surrounding counties. He’ll also explain the confusion and misconceptions […]
Alton Heritage Day
2025Sep13 Saturday 13th September is the date of Alton’s first Heritage Day. This will be a part of the national ‘Heritage Open Days’ that are held in September each year and give people a chance to ‘try out new experiences’ which are FREE to explore. According to the heritageopendays.org.uk web site – these events are part […]
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Farnborough Research in the Cold War
This project to digitise and restore colour & monochrome film negatives (glass & wet negative) of British aviation research & development at the Royal Aircraft
Airfield to Archive: Farnborough
HAT has awarded a £4000 grant to the The National Aerospace Library (NAL) with Farnborough Sixth Form College for a digitisation, research and training project.
Newnham 900
The Newnham Oral and Written History Project is all about ‘celebrating the past and building the future’ as it aims to use local heritage and
Southampton Archives Cataloguing project
Southampton Archives has a wealth of material deposited by community groups and individual community leaders, who have worked for change on a variety of local,
Grant for the Watercress Line through time
This project is to create an engaging, educational, and child-friendly illustrated timeline of the Mid Hants Railway affectionately known as the Watercress Line. HAT is
Grayshott Wartime Memories
This is a history of Grayshott during WW2, with a collection of contemporary and current villagers’ memories and stories, and based on Grayshott Heritage archive
Gift
Make a Financial Gift
By making a financial gift to the HAT you are directly funding the preservation of valuable local history archives for future generations. The HAT awards grants to local history projects which are judged to be of particular historical value in Hampshire. Whether you’d like to make a one-off donation, leave a legacy in your will or make a regular donation, it is very straight-forward.
Stories from the Archives
Looking for George Austen at Monk Sherborne
In this anniversary year, spare a thought for Jane Austen’s elder brother George. The historical record says something about his life. We know that he
Series 4: Episode 2 – The Watercress Line and Celebrating Railway 200
In this episode, Daniella speaks to Daniel Ball, the education and outreach coordinator for the Watercress Line heritage railway. The episode explores the current Railway 200 celebrations and the work undertaken by Daniel and volunteers to explore this the history and heritage of railways in Hampshire and engage local communities with their local history.
‘Britain shall not Burn’: Commemorating 84-years since the Portsmouth Blitz Bombings at Royal Garrison Church
Royal Garrison Church stands by the sea on the edge of Old Portsmouth. Its picturesque silhouette, beautiful stained-glass windows, and Victorian and Edwardian interior are
Series 4: Episode 1 – The British Association for Local History and Supporting Local History Across the United Kingdom
In this episode, Daniella is joined by Dr Paul Dryburgh and Joe Saunders of the British Association for Local History. Paul and Joe discuss the work that the British Association do to support local history societies across the United Kingdom, their resources, outreach and digital engagement initiatives, and ways that people can become involved in what the British Association for Local History do.
‘Placing Jane’ in the Heart of Southampton: A Day of Tea, Talks and Timeless Tales
Saturday 3 May 2025 saw Southampton transformed into a buzzing hive of bonnets, books, and brilliant minds as literary and history lovers descended upon the
Celebrating Preservation: A Day of Archival Discovery and Historical Appreciation
Members of the Hampshire Archive Trust (HAT) recently enjoyed a special visit to the New Forest Heritage Trust, marking the successful completion of a significant