Hampshire Cultural Trust was established as an independent charity in 2014 to promote Hampshire as a county that offers outstanding cultural experiences to both its residents and visitors.
From museums to galleries to arts centres, we manage and support 23 attractions across the county that were previously operated by Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council.
We run a huge variety of workshops, classes, events and projects for both young and old, in schools and in communities, with particular emphasis on reaching people who are vulnerable or disadvantaged and would not normally be able to access arts and culture. In addition, we care for 2.5 million objects that relate to Hampshire’s rich and internationally important cultural heritage.
In general we do not keep archives except those that are held in support of some of our collections. The more important are:
Taskers
For 170 years (1809-1983) Taskers were a leading manufacturer of a wide range of agricultural implements and machinery, steam and stationary engines and road vehicles. The story began near Andover in the early years of the 19th century, when Robert Tasker and his brother, William began what was to become the Waterloo Ironworks. Hampshire Cultural Trust hold some company records such as engine build books and drawings mainly relating to the production of stream traction engines but also Shepherd Huts and publicity information and specifications for some later trailers.
Thornycroft
The Thornycroft era started in 1862 when John I Thornycroft (later Sir John) designed a steam car. Due to government legislation restrictions Thornycroft initially dropped motor vehicle manufacture and moved into shipbuilding on the Thames at Chiswick but in 1895 built his first steam vehicle at the Chiswick works. The Thornycroft Steam Wagon Company Ltd of Chiswick became a noted producer of steam lorries and vans, and high demand led to the setting up of a new factory at Basingstoke, Hampshire in 1898. The Basingstoke factory finally closed in 1969. Hampshire Cultural Trust hold a large archive of drawings, technical papers, family letters and company paperwork including chassis registers and correspondence with government departments. The archive mainly holds information on the motor transport side of the company but also some information on the smaller boats including the coastal motor patrol and torpedo boats and depth charge development.
Example of a Thornycroft drawing (HCT ref SK3131_copy) 
Example of Thornycroft archive document – vehicle delivery register 1926 
Thornycroft parade celebrating the end of the First World War, taken by Terry Hunt, 16/11/1918 (HCT ref DPABWT370
Notes
for both Taskers and Thorneycroft collecting see https://collections.hampshireculture.org.uk/transport-vehicles
Photographic Collection
The photographic collection contains topographical views of the county, its industries and inhabitants dating from the 1850’s to the present day, including representations of local photographers such as Terry Hunt of Basingstoke and William Savage of Winchester. It also includes photographs of some of the objects we hold in our collections. It should be noted that some photographs have copyright restrictions. https://collections.hampshireculture.org.uk/photographs
Mr and Mrs Adams, Will Hall Farm, Alton, around 1899 (HCT ref DPAAGM40) 
Winchester Barracks taken by William Savage, around 1880 (HCT ref PWCM_2095)
Archaeology archives
Hampshire Cultural Trust hold very large archaeology collections on behalf of Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council. As well as the finds from the excavations we also hold the site archives consisting of the field notes, drawing and photographs, and post excavation reports and analysis. https://collections.hampshireculture.org.uk/archaeology
Access to HCT archives
Access to the archives is by appointment only which can be made through collections@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk or by calling 01962 678140