News and Events
Barrow Archive Centre, closed Wednesday 21 October 2026
Barrow Archive Centre is closed for the remainder of today due to buildings work issues. We expect to reopen as normal tomorrow, Thursday 22 October 2026.
CASCAT Online Archives Catalogue: intermittent unavailability
Unfortunately we are experiencing technical difficulties with our online archives catalogue at present due to the service being overwhelmed by automated web traffic. Our ICT support are trying to make the service more robust as soon as possible. We apologise for any ongoing issues you may experience when trying to use CASCAT
Updated 12.50 pm, Wednesday 21 October 2026.
Roofing works at Barrow Library
Roofing works have begun at Barrow Library and are set to run until early 2027. Barrow Archive Centre remains open to the public as usual during the works. The roofing works are on the main part of the library so should have minimal impact on the archive service. The main entrance to the library on Ramsden Square remains open however once inside the library visitors are directed either left or right to access the library and other services. Archive visitors can continue to access the archives search room by turning left and heading through local studies to the archive service at the back of the building. For more details on the roofing works: Council invests over £400,000 in much-loved Barrow Library | Westmorland and Furness Council
Advance notice of closure of Cumbria Archive Centres, Carlisle and Whitehaven, for annual stocktaking, Wednesday 25 November to Friday 4 December 2026 inclusive
Carlisle and Whitehaven Archive Centres will be closed from Wednesday 25 November 2026 for two weeks and will reopen as normal on Wednesday 9 December 2026.
This is for staff to undertake important salvage training and stocktaking work. Please note that there may be delays with responses to email enquiries, telephone calls and digitisation requests during this period.
Barrow and Kendal Archive Centres will remain open as normal during this period.
Reopening of Kendal Archive Centre
Updated 20 August 2026.
In late March 2026, we closed the Kendal Archive searchroom at Kendal Library to allow our collection to be moved to improved storage conditions. We are pleased to report this has now been completed and we were able to reopen our searchroom at the Herdwick Room in Kendal Library on Wednesday 19 August 2026. We are currently dealing with a large backlog of enquiries and requests for bookings. Please bear with us while we deal with our interim service for providing access to records. Please note the following:
- We shall continue to operate on an appointment only basis. Your appointment will only be confirmed when we have your records ready for you.
- We ask initially for document requests three weeks in advance of your appointment. This is to help ensure we can provide your records.
- Our opening times will remain as Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 4pm
Organisations or individuals wishing to deposit records should contact kendal.archives@cumberland.gov.uk for guidance.
We thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate the new way of working. For further information, please contact us at the email address above.
Fading Fires film
This short documentary film was created in 2024 by Benjamin Bogorad and looks at the decline of West Cumbria's heavy industries through the eyes of a former steelworker and coal miner. It features material from the British Steel Company collection, which is held at Whitehaven Archives. The film was selected at a number of film festivals, earning both Jury Prize and Finalist awards.
Changes to access to records at Kendal Archive Centre
The following Kendal collections have been moved on a temporary basis to Barrow Archive Centre and are available to consult there.
WDAW: Alfred Wainwright
WDMDS: Mike Davies-Shiel papers
WDRY: Le Fleming of Rydal Hall
WDTE: Browne family of Townend, Troutbeck (Westmorland)
WDVAS: Josefina de Vasconcellos
Some other collections at Kendal require a one or two week advance notice to us and further details can be found on our Advance Order Collections webpage.
Kendal Archives Centre will provide an interim public service from the Herdwick Room in the local studies library at Kendal Library, Stricklandgate, Kendal LA9 4PY. Please note the following important changes to our service:
- Please book an appointment and request records at least 72 hours before your intended visit as researcher spaces are limited in the Herdwick Room
- Our opening hours will change to Wednesdays to Fridays, 10am-4pm (no lunch closure)
- We cannot offer a drop in service at the Herdwick Room - an appointment will be required
- Our contact details will remain the same
- We can arrange deposits at County Offices by prior appointment. Please contact us for further details.