Historical Association (Gloucestershire Branch)

Who we are

The Historical Association is the national charity for history. The charity runs events and offers online and print resources for historians, as well as offering Podcasts and other resources and benefits. The Gloucestershire Branch offers a local focus. The Historical Association has been supporting the study and enjoyment of history since 1906. It currently has over 6000 national members; many more people are associate members of local branches. The very early activities of the HA mainly involved history teachers looking to support one another, but as early as 1917 a revision of the HA constitution explicitly provided for the membership of anyone ‘interested in the study and teaching of history’.

Gloucestershire’s branch is just one of more than 45 around the UK. In keeping with the HA’s aim of bringing together all those who are interested in history, whether professionally or just for interest and enjoyment, the branch’s talks are open to all: to national HA members and our associate members in the branch, and also to the general public who can pay a very small entry fee – currently £3 (free for students) – to attend individual events.

Our talks cover many aspects of history in all historical periods and all areas of the world (click here for details of the latest programme). Local history is not forgotten, though we try to set any local topics in their wider geographical and historical contexts.

We also organise a summer outing for our members and their family and friends to a place of historical interest.

The HA remains the major national organisation representing the case for historical education to policy makers and ministers. It advises on curriculum issues at all levels and campaigns for access to specialist historical knowledge and collections. Support for history teachers, too, is still an important part of its activities.