Where is Walsall Central Library & Archives?

Walsall Archives at the Lichfield Street Hub, Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TR

 

In brief

The public library in Walsall Town Centre was built in 1905. Walsall Art Gallery was on the first floor of the library from 1974 until 1999 when it moved to The New Art Gallery Walsall. For many years it was the home of the Walsall Museum, but this closed for good in 2015, and was redeveloped in 2018 into the Walsall Archives. Before then was known as the Walsall Central Library & Museum, afterwards as the Walsall Central Library & Archives. Today in concrete building to the right known as The E.M. Flint Art Gallery (built in 1965), you can find the Lichfield Street Hub Walsall (open to appointment only).

Walsall Central Library (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Walsall Central Library & Archives - more details

The Free Library in Walsall was built in 1905.

Walsall Central Library (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was in a classical red brick and stone building, built during the Edwadian era. The first floor of Walsall Library became an art gallery in 1974, but when The New Art Gallery Walsall was built in 1999 it closed down.

Walsall Central Library (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

When it was Walsall Library & Museum, there was a modern glass entrance to the right, but when the museum closed in 2015, and after the 2018 redevelopment, the only way into the building was via the original entrance.

Walsall Central Library (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The concrete building was called The E. M. Flint Art Gallery, to the corner of Lichfield Street and Hatherton Road. It was built in 1965 as an extension to the Central Library and named after Ethel Mary Flint, a local artist and chairperson of the Walsall Library and Art Gallery committee.

Walsall Central Library (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

At Walsall Museum you could step into the past and explore a world of information, well until the museum permanently closed for good in 2017.

Walsall Central Library (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There was more Step into the past. Explore a world of information. But these were removed in 2017-18 after the museum closed down in 2015.

Walsall Central Library (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The collections were placed in secure storage and remain under the care of Walsall Council's Museum Service

 

Walsall Archives

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 4pm.

Open to appointments booked only.

 

Memorial bust to John Henry Carless

Outside of Walsall Central Library is a bronze bust to John Henry Carless, born in Walsall on the 11th November 1896, he was killed in action in Heligoland Bight on the 17th November 1917. He was awarded the Victoria Cross. It was erected by the inhabitants of Walsall in 1919.

Walsall Central Library (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Contact details

Walsall Archives

Lichfield Street Hub

Lichfield Street

Walsall 

WS1 1TR

LocalHistoryCentre@walsall.gov.uk

01922 652212