Spring Meeting 2025: The National Archives

12th May 2025

It was Spring Meeting time again last week at the HHAG and this year we descended on The National Archives for talks, tours, a document display and as always lots of very interesting discussions about the common issues we all face.

We started the day with a lunch at the café on site and then went straight in for a presentation by Philip Gale on death and taxes (the only inevitable things if we are to believe Benjamin Franklin) and the evolution of tax incentives for donating archive material.

We then had introductions from David Morris, Head of the Regional and Networks team and Rachel Miller, Sector Development Manager: South West and the development manager for Built Heritage and Landscape (the section that historic houses come under!) to learn about what they can do as sector leaders to help us as archivists. After this we had another introduction, this time from the archives revealed team, who explained their three levels of grants and funding options and how best to take advantage of them.

Following the talks (and a coffee and biscuit break) we split into groups for a document display featuring material from many of the group’s houses, and tour of the repositories and reading room.

We look forward to seeing everyone in October at Blenheim Palace for the Autumn Meeting and future training events!