HPAC

Welcome to the Kirklees Collection of Photographs

Into the past

There are more than 200,000 pictures in our archive , which is made up of glass plates, celluloid negatives, lantern slides, postcards and original prints.

Dating from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century, the photographs are of local people and places, or they are the work of local photographers.

Kirklees stretches from the Pennine moors above Marsden and Holmfirth in the west to Batley and Dewsbury in the east. The M62 follows the borough's northern boundary whist the Dearne valley marks its southern extremity.

Here you can find and enjoy a flavour of the riches these photographs have to offer.
The Local Collection brings together the work of a variety of photographers of the local scene. There are pictures of Huddersfield, the Holme and Colne Valleys ; Batley, Dewsbury, Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike as well as the more rural south and east of the area.

As well as the places, you can find photographs which show people at work, people at play, shops, transport landscapes and farming and famous names, like Robin Hood, the Brontes and the Luddites.

The Brierley Collection is the work of a local photographer who travelled around Britain and Europe in the last days of Queen Victoria.

These collections are cared for by the Community History Service which aims to bring people closer to their heritage through the museums which it manages and a wide range of activities throughout the community.

Click on film roll to view images