Museum Collections, Archive & Library
The Museum of Carpet is home to an extensive collection of objects, archives, books and photographs relating to the carpet industry dating from the 18th Century to the present day.
These collections cover all aspects of the industry, and range from archives of official bodies to small collections amassed by individuals associated with carpet manufacture.
You can search our collections online here.
We are also home to the Kidderminster Shuttle newspaper archive, with volumes of issues dating from 1871-1982.
There is also a large library of books, journals and reference texts available, covering many aspects of the industry.
Our museum, archive and library collections are open to researchers of any level and appointments can be booked in advance.
If you have any enquiries or wish to book a visit please contact us and we will be happy to help!
Follow this link to read our Archive Access Policy_Dec 2013
COLLECTIONS ONLINE
Discover our digitised collections catalogue of objects, books, journals and photographs.
KIDDERMINSTER SHUTTLE
Explore our archive of more than 100 years of original copies of this local newspaper.
MAKE AN ENQUIRY
Book an archive appointment, enquire about specific research or donating to our archive.
Collections Online
Our online catalogue is the result of years of work by dedicated Collections staff and volunteers, supported by contributions from the Friends of the Carpet Museum Trust. The entire archive project has been made possible by a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which has enabled our Collections team to digitise the collections catalogue into an accessible online catalogue.
If you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kidderminster Shuttle Archive
Amongst our collections are original copies of the Kidderminster Shuttle newspaper, founded in 1870. These bound volumes provide detailed insights into Kidderminster life for most of the years between 1871 to 1982.
If you wish to look at our Kidderminster Shuttle archive, please contact us to book an appointment. If you can provide us with any information about what you are seeking before you visit, if relevant, we can prepare for your appointment in advance.
Please note: we do not have volumes for 1876-1881, 1897, 1913, 1924 and 1963 in our collection at present. These issues can be viewed on microfilm at Worcestershire Archives & Archaeology Service which is located in The Hive, Worcester.
Make an Enquiry
Booking an appointment
Please contact us to book an appointment to visit our collections and archive.
Make an enquiry
If you do not wish to consult our collections and archive in person, we are happy to help with any research enquiries you might have.
Please contact us with your research enquiries, and give specific information where possible. Our Collections team will take up your enquiry and consult our archive for you.
Please bear in mind that our Collections team is made up of volunteers who do not work full time, and as such we appreciate your patience with your enquiry.
Donate to our Collections
The Museum of Carpet is collecting objects, documents and photographs relating to the carpet industry in Kidderminster and across the UK.
We benefit greatly from the kind donations made by many supporters of the Museum, and are always extremely grateful to those who donate items to our collection.
If you have an object or document which you think would be of interest to the Museum, and which you wish to donate to our collections, please get in touch with details of the item/s and information on its history or provenance if known. If possible, please attach images of the item to your email or letter.
What happens next
The Collections committee follows a comprehensive process to determine which items we can accept as donations to our collection. We ask that you don’t leave items which have not yet been considered under this process at the museum as we do not have the facilities to care for potential acquisitions alongside our collection. Following one of our regular Collections committee meetings, we will be in contact to advise you as to whether we can accept your donation.
We are obliged to ensure that every acquisition is made in accordance with our Collections Policy and that we have the right resources available to conserve and store donated objects appropriately. As a result, it is not always possible for us to accept everything which is offered to us. If we are unable to accept your donation, we try, where possible, to suggest an alternative recipient.
Copyright and Image requests
Image requests
Our Collections team have an excellent knowledge of our collections and can help you find the perfect image for your needs. We can provide you with existing images, high-quality digital scanned images of pictures and photographs from our archive and commission new photography of objects in our collection. They can also help with reproduction rights fees and information about copyright restrictions.
Please contact us with your request and we will be happy to advise.
Copyright Information
The contents of this website, including all images and text, are protected by copyright. All material is provided for browsing and viewing purposes only.
No copies of the digital images or text may be made except for personal use. ‘Personal use’ entails non-commercial, domestic use by an individual involving the making of only single copies of each digital image.
The Carpet Museum Trust holds the copyright for all the images of objects on this website unless otherwise stated. In specific cases, copyright may be held by the originator and the images are used with their permission. It is the responsibility of any potential user to clear all such copyright with the owners before any images are used.
If you wish to reproduce any of the images shown on this website, please contact us for permission or guidance.
Museum of Carpet 