www.neathantiquariansociety.co.uk
neathhistory.co.uk
NEATH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY
PRESERVING OUR LOCAL HISTORICAL HERITAGE
FOR OVER A CENTURY
Do you enjoy local history?
Would you like to help others who want to know more about our local history?
The NAS are a welcoming society that wants to continue supporting our local heritage; we currently provide:
- Access to our historical archives
- Assist with local history enquiries e.g. ancestry, buildings
- Run events such as our monthly Lecture Programme
- Support local events such as the Neath Food and Drink Festival
The Neath Antiquarian Society are looking for people who would like to join the society to help us in this work.
If are interested and would like to know more, please contact us via our website or email the secretary Mary Walker at secretarynas68@gmail.com and we can explain in more detail about how the Society works and how you could help.
The Royal Visit and Opening of
the Territorial Force Drill Hall
RAY COLLIER describes a significant civil ceremony of 1914
The repaste at the civic luncheon contained dishes never seen on the tables of the ordinary folk of Neath!
SEE
News & Members Articles
If you have a possible article to offer, get in touch
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THIS MONTH'S MYSTERY IMAGES
Where was this foundation stone being laid?
An impressive wooden walkway - where was it being erected?
c.1910 and possibly in the Vale of Neath - where did this substantial home stand.
Submit your answers/suggestions using the CONTACT US tab or through our Facebook page.
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Answers to the previous mystery images
The rural cottage was to be found in Onllwyn and was called Rhas y Gelenin
Guesses for the industrial site were the McAlpine depot at Abergarwed
Whilst plaid was certainly produced at the Neath Abbey Woollen Mill, the important thing is that this pattern is the Aberpergwm plaid. It is featured in the book 'Guide to the Scenery etc. of Glynneath' by William Weston Young.
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Please be aware that our days of opening are
Monday and Thursday
Mondays - For the public & NAS members - (09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:45) providing access to the NAS archive and access to computer resources for Family History researchers. This service is supervised by staff of the West Glamorgan Archive Service.
Thursdays - For the public & NAS members (09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:45) providing access to the NAS archive with access to computer resources for Family History researchers with assistance/guidance available from a dedicated staff member of the West Glamorgan Archive Service.
PLEASE BE ADVISED - IF YOU KNOW WHAT ITEMS YOU WISH TO VIEW AND HAVE THE CATALOGUE NUMBER(S), THEN TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS YOU CAN PRE-ORDER (EIGHT DAYS IN ADVANCE) USING THE CONTACT US FORM.
NOTE - For researchers requiring access to the NAS Archive ONLY and who are unable to attend on the days above (e.g. distance/foreign visitors) then it may be possible to arrange a personal appointment. Please apply through the CONTACT US button.
Neath Mechanics' Institute, Church Place, Neath, home of the Society
Formed in 1923 (from the earlier Neath Philosophical Society of 1834), the Neath Antiquarian Society has taken a leading role in recording, preserving and safeguarding Neath's historical heritage. Therefore, the Society began to collect archives relating to the local area and further afield.
Over the decades a considerable amount of material was amassed, dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries, but this was not available to the general public and lacked a proper catalogue. The year 2001 saw the launch of the project 'Unlocking Neath's Archival Heritage', a joint venture between the Neath Antiquarian Society and the West Glamorgan Archive Service: with Heritage Lottery Funding, the entire archive collection was catalogued in detail by staff from the West Glamorgan Archive Service to make it fully available to the public for the first time in 2003.
Where can the documents be seen?
The Neath Antiquarian Society archive collections are held at the Neath Mechanics' Institute. Click here for details of opening hours.
What archives are available?
Records of the Neath Antiquarian Society
Research papers of prominent local historians connected with the Society.
Borough of Neath & Neath Corporation records.
Records of manors and estates, including Gnoll, Eaglesbush, Briton Ferry, Bach-y-gwreiddyn, Little Hill, etc.
Coytrahen and Neath Abbey Estate records.
Collections of documents regarding local events, businesses, chapels and industry.
Maps and plans of the local area.
Advertising material & other related ephemera.
Copyright ©
The Neath Antiquarian Society claims overall copyright on material posted on this website under the Copyright Acts and the restrictions imposed by those Acts. The copyright of certain articles on this website remains the exclusive property of the individual authors. If in doubt, please ask. Ignorance of copyright rules is no excuse for violation.
All information is presented in good faith and no responsibility can be accepted for any omissions or errors that may occur from time to time.
Aknowledgements
1. Thanks to the County & City of Swansea and their officials for providing information pages relating to the Neath Antiquarian Society within their website and for their continued support of the Society's objectives.
2. Additionally, a thank you to all of our fellow Societies and individuals who have linked our website into their domains and social media outlets.
All rights reserved - 2013 - 2025
