York St. John University Archives and Special Collections

Overview

York St John University Archives and Special Collections is the archival and special collections service of York St John University in York, England. Housed in the Fountains Learning Centre on the Lord Mayor's Walk campus, the service preserves institutional records and curates notable special collections of cultural and historical significance, including the post-1945 York Theatre Royal Archive and a major collection of Victorian and Edwardian children's books.

History and Founding

York St John University traces its origins to the founding of Church colleges in York and Ripon in the nineteenth century. The St. John's Diocesan Training College in York was established following the founding of the National Society in 1811, and the Yorkshire Diocesan Society for the Education of the Poor was founded shortly thereafter. The historical archive preserves records from these college predecessors through 1976. The institution became York St John University College in 2006 and was granted full university status on October 1, 2006.

Collections and Holdings

The archives include the York St John Historical Archive, documenting the history of the Church colleges in York and Ripon from their founding; the post-1945 York Theatre Royal Archive, with scripts, prompt copies, photographs, press cuttings, and show tapes; Yorkshire Theatres Playbills and Posters dating to the eighteenth century; and the Rees-Williams Collection of over 3,000 Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian children's books dating from around 1780 to the 1920s. A dedicated Small Press Archive, started in 2017, documents independent presses based in northern England.

Notable Materials Related to Media and Press

The Yorkshire Theatres Playbills collection documents the theatrical press and advertising history of northern England from the mid-eighteenth century onward. The Theatre Royal Archive includes press cuttings and promotional materials that trace the relationship between theatre and journalism in York across the post-war period.

Access and Usage

Archives and Special Collections are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Access is by prior appointment. Researchers may contact the archive by email. The Fountains Learning Centre provides accessible facilities including power-assisted doors, a hearing loop, lift access, and flexible working spaces.