Every week, a wide assortment of archive documents and local studies material from a variety of sources passes through our doors to join the six miles of records in our strongrooms.
Behind the scenes, we work closely with the records, diligently cataloguing, cleaning, conserving and packaging them so that they can be made available to the public.
It's work that we thoroughly enjoy, and everyone here has a tale to tell: whether it's the story behind a favourite book, the background to an unusual collection, or how we repaired a very fragile document.
Each month, the Surrey Heritage teams showcase their own particular "Marvel of the Month".
In October, for Black History Month, we celebrate the life and work of African American author and poet Phillis Wheatley and explore her connection with Surrey.
Phillis Wheatley: the 'Mother of Black Literature'
For our September Marvel of the Month, we learnt more about Surrey County Archaeological Unit's partnership with the National Trust to explore the history of the landscapes at Runnymede and Ankerwycke.
Excavation at Ankerwycke Priory
Our August Marvel of the Month celebrated how South Asian people have made their own unique contributions to the county of Surrey.
Our July Marvel of the Month marked the centenary of the Law of Property Act which led to the preservation of, and promotion of access to, manorial records in England and Wales.
For Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month in June, we revealed the campaigns of a writer and artist who championed the cause of the gypsy community in Epsom.
Our May Marvel of the Month explored the life and work of an English antiquary and topographer who produced a rich history and geography of the county of Surrey.
For April's Marvel of the Month, we welcomed the return of a record of everyday life in 1959 by the pupils of Hale County Primary School.
For Women's History Month in March, we discovered the moving and courageous story of a Surrey schoolgirl who became a secret agent during the Second World War.
For LGBT+ History Month in February, we looked at documenting Transgender stories and the challenges it can present.
2021 Marvels
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2020 Marvels
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2019 Marvels
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2018 Marvels
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2017 Marvels
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2016 Marvels
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2015 Marvels
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2014 Marvels
December
November
October
September
August
- Broadwood customers and destinations
- Old cottages and farmhouses in Surrey
- Heavy losses to the 1st Queen's, 1914
July
June
- Ernest James 'Gentleman Jim' Langley (7 February 1929 – 9 December 2007)
- Celebrating Volunteers' Week
May
April
March
- White and Sons of Dorking: 80 years of auction records
- 'Perdita': the extraordinary life of author and actress Mary Robinson
February
2013 marvels
December
November
- The grand opening of County Hall, Kingston, 13 November 1893
- Farnham in the Civil War, November 1643
- Seeing the light: protection from light damage
October
September
August
- More Place, Betchworth: an 1827 nursery order
- A brief history of papermaking and paper conservation
- Charles Thomas Cracklow (1763-1826)
July
- George Sturt (1863-1927)
- 'Thumping plum puddings': the diaries of Elizabeth Davis of Gosden House, Shalford
- Bookbinding techniques
June
- Ockenden International: the remarkable story of a Surrey refugee charity
- Jean Carré and wealden glass
- Pins, clips and staples: damaging fasteners in archive collections
May
April
March
February
- Your Paintings and the Lewis Carroll connection
- The history and conservation of seals
- Henry Goulburn's letters to his daughter
January
2012 marvels
December
- Loseley Christmas and New Year gifts
- Wonderful winter weather in Surrey in 1927
- Tracings in archive collections
November
- Moor Park, Farnham
- The Queens Royal West Surreys and the Boer War
- Behind the scenes: the conservation studio
October
September
August
- The Duke of York marches on London, September 1450
- The development of iron gall ink
- Town and village guides
July