Archive & Reference Library.
Our archive collections contain unique material providing evidence and information on how the new town of Milton Keynes was designed and built. Subjects focus on the design, building, and development and cover urban planning, architecture, landscape design, and land use. The types of material in the archive collections include drawings, maps, plans, documents, photographs and artwork.
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Please click here for more information on visiting
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Please click here for more information about donating library books and archive collections
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If you need help please email us:
library@mkcdc.org.uk
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Archive Catalogue
Search or browse our online archive catalogue.
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Image Archive
View the catalogue for our Image Archive of over 14,000 images covering the development of Milton Keynes new city.
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Reference Library
Browse our online catalogue for published material relating to the development and history of MK Borough.
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Other Resources
Here you will find other resources available online using material from our Archive & Reference Library.
Featured collections
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Kitchener collection
Maurice Kitchener was a photographer in Newport Pagnell who cycled around North Bucks between 1925 and 1936 photographing local villages and towns. He produced picture postcards which he sold to the local post offices and shops. Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre looks after nearly 2,000 of his original glass plate negatives
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Adrian Morrow Collection
Copy drawings and digital images of schemes worked on by Adrian Morrow as architect with Trevor Denton Wayland Tunley Architects and Urban Planners, and Adrian Morrow Architects. Schemes: Neath Hill D, Great Holm (Hilltops) Medical Centre, Oak Chapel, Studio on the Green, Tattenhoe Pavilion, Caroline Haslett.
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Women Who Made Milton Keynes
Biographies of the ten women featured in the exhibition 'Women who made Milton Keynes' produced by the Milton Keynes group of The Fawcett Society. The exhibition explored the lives and contributions of ten pioneering women notable for their work and achievements in developing Milton Keynes.
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John Seed Collection
Architectural drawings, urban plans, photographs and files on Milton Keynes and other locations. John Seed (d.2011) was an architect for Milton Keynes Development Corporation between 1971 and 1985. He was responsible for the structure planning and urban design of seven residential grid squares of the new city ...
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Brian Cudmore Collection
35mm slides showing Beanhill, Netherfield, Conniburrow and other parts of Milton Keynes, taken by Professor Brian Cudmore on trips as part of his academic and personal interest in urban planning and geography.
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Bernard Madden Collection
Posters designed by Bernard Madden as part of his role at Milton Keynes Development Corporation
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Architectural Models Collection
Architectural models showing the design of housing developments, industrial units, leisure facilities, transport facilities and commercial accommodation in the development of Milton Keynes as a new town. Many were created by Milton Keynes Development Corporation, others were created after their existence. None have specific dates of creation. The objects have been listed using previous MOD reference numbers, ...
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John Csáky Collection
Photographs, drawings and posters of designs for projects in Milton Keynes worked on by John Csáky, including The Bowl, Loughton balancing lakes and Willen Lake promontory. John Csáky moved to Milton Keynes Development Corporation in 1971 and stayed until 1981. Previously he studied sculpture and painting at the Portsmouth School of Art, and then Environmental Media ...
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Malcolm Anderson collection
35mm slides taken by Malcolm Anderson during his time as Chief Land Surveyor at the Milton Keynes Development Corporation and papers written giving information on the methods used by the Corporation to survey land.
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Milton Keynes Postcard Collection
Postcards featuring images of locations in and around Milton Keynes. Also includes a a small amount from Letchworth. Most were published by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation to advertise the town in the 1980s.
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Objects Collection
Objects not part of an archive collection that contribute to the story of the development of Milton Keynes new town and acquired prior to the implementation of the Collections Policy, or the story of the Bradwell Abbey site.
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One World Quilt Collection
Papers, photographs and film recordings of the One World Quilt project.
Visit the Archive
The Archive & Reference Library is open for all who would like to visit. Fore more information on opening times and making an appointment, please click below.
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Donating material.
Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre (MKCDC) Archive & Reference Library relies on donations of book stock to the Library collections in order to provide a research facility for the local community and those interested in the development of Milton Keynes and New Towns in general. We are grateful to those who donate material as many of the works held in the collection would not otherwise be obtained and available for research