Pictured left to right: Charles Hanmer (Lifetime Honorary Vice-President of Dudley & Sandwell Chamber of Commerce) Paul Bennett (President of Dudley Division Chamber of Commerce) Margaret Corneby (Chief Executive of Black Country Chamber of Commerce) and James Morgan (Chairman of the Black Country Society).
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce has donated over 150 years worth of local Chamber records to the Black Country Society.
The extensive collection of handwritten books dates back as far as 1850 and contains committee meeting minutes, financial ledgers and other records from Dudley and Wolverhampton Chambers of Commerce.
“The books are a unique record,” said Chief Executive, Margaret Corneby. “We recognised that they provide an insight into the history of local business and we are determined that this should be preserved. We are delighted that we have at last found a home for this fascinating archive material.”
The Black Country Society has agreed to act as custodian of the books on behalf of the Chamber and following digital copying will deposit the books in a public archive. This will ensure that the records are both accessible and securely stored.
Black Country Society president James Morgan said he was very pleased that the Society was able to help the Chamber to safeguard its history. “The society is all about preserving the past for the education and benefit of future generations and we hope that tomorrow’s business leaders will be able to learn from the work of past Chambers.”