The Port of London Authority (PLA) has embarked on a three-year project that aims to make it easier for historians and river lovers to search and view the images in future years.
"The PLA archive collection is unique. It covers everything from the initial grand development schemes through to the details of day-to-day life in the docks," said Museum of London archivist Claire Frankland.
"It is an archive of international significance, an invaluable resource for social, economic and maritime historians, as well as those pursuing interests in local and family history."
The Port of London Authority Archive currently includes:
"The PLA archive collection is unique. It covers everything from the initial grand development schemes through to the details of day-to-day life in the docks," said Museum of London archivist Claire Frankland.
"It is an archive of international significance, an invaluable resource for social, economic and maritime historians, as well as those pursuing interests in local and family history."
The Port of London Authority Archive currently includes:
- 10,000 books and pamphlets
- 50,000 plans and engineering drawings
- 500 maps
- 40,000 historic photographs
- 4000 historic glass slides
- 5000 paintings, drawings and prints (framed and unframed)
- 350 film reels
- 2500ft run of primary and secondary archive
- The Minute Books of the Corporation of London’s River Committee 1770-1857)
- Minute books and archives of the Thames Conservancy (1857-1909)
- Minute Books and Archives of the private dock companies
- Comprehensive records of the Port of London Authority.
