BHA: Humanist archive open to public

The archive of the British Humanist Association (BHA), held at the Bishopsgate Institute in London, is now open to public view for the first time. The collection, housed at the institute since 2007, includes papers from the organisation’s 114 year history. Its opening to public view comes during the BHA’s second annual Humanist Week which is themed around the celebration of humanist heritage.

Chief Executive, Andrew Copson, commented, ‘The humanist movement has a long and fascinating history in Britain. As well as papers relating to the activities of the BHA as we know it today, the archive includes papers from very different times, such as the minutes of our predecessor organisation the Ethical Union, founded in 1896, and the original design for the Happy Human Symbol by Dennis Barrington in 1965, which is now used by humanist organisations worldwide.

‘We are very pleased to be able to share this resource with historians, students of non-religious history, academics and the public at large.’

Stefan Dickers of the Bishopsgate Institute stated, ‘Bishopsgate Institute is delighted that is has been chosen to provide a home for the archive of the British Humanist Association. The collection documents comprehensively the ideas and activities of the British humanist movement from the late nineteenth century to the present day and is an invaluable resource for researchers and students wanting to know more about its history. It is also a wonderfully rich archive, including not only administrative and publicity materials but also photographs, audio/visual material, pamphlets, books and artefacts.’

Notes

The BHA archive can be consulted Monday-Friday 10am-5.30pm, Wednesday 10am-8pm, and for more information on consulting the archive, researchers should contact Bishopsgate Library at: library@bishopsgate.org.uk or 020 7392 9270.

For further comment or information, please contact Pepper Harow, (pepper@humanism.org.uk) 020 7462 4992.

Humanist Week 2010 runs from 21st-27th June. Read more about Humanist Week.
http://www.humanism.org.uk/meet-up/humanist-week

Read more about Humanist Heritage.
http://humanistheritage.org.uk/

The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief.