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University of Westminster

Polytechnic Parliament


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 1753 PPA

Held at: University of Westminster

Title: Polytechnic Parliament

Date(s): 1883-1970

Level of description: Collection (fonds)

Extent: 6 boxes

Name of creator(s): Polytechnic Parliament

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

Regent Street Polytechnic, founded by Quintin Hogg as the Youth's Christian Institute, encompassed members who were not students, but were involved in recreational activities via a large number of clubs. The Polytechnic Parliament, established in 1883, was a debating society whose members examined contemporary issues. It was perhaps the oldest model parliament in the country. There was an increasing division between the educational side of the Polytechnic, which dealt with students and the organisation of classes, and the Polytechnic Institute, which catered for members of the social and sporting clubs. The Institute was eventually to decline, particularly after Regent Street Polytechnic became the Polytechnic of Central London in 1970. The Polytechnic Parliament was wound up in 1970.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Polytechnic Parliament, 1883-1970, comprising minutes recording the business of the Council which administered the society's affairs, 1883-1916, 1920-1965, 1970; minutes for sittings of the parliament, 1892-1915, 1920-1964; constituency books, 1883, 1930s; motion books, 1884-1915, 1923-1926; members' address book, 1890s; file of typescript orders and rules, 1933; file re amendments, 1930s; Conservative party records, 1930s; attendance books, 1934-1960s; printed constitution, 1948; report to Development Committee and related papers, 1954; subscription book, 1950s-1960s; undated standing orders and rules; two undated photographs, including Polytechnic Parliament in session in Fyvie Hall (in no 309 Regent Street).

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Open, subject to signing the Regulations for Access form.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies may be supplied, for research use only, unless copyright restrictions apply or the item is too fragile to be copied. Requests to publish original material should be addressed to the University Archivist.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Typescript handlist.

Detailed catalogue

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Created by the Polytechnic Parliament.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

The draft rules of the Polytechnic Parliament were published in Home Tidings, Apr 1883, p 80, and its debates were subsequently reported there and, from 1888, in its successor The Polytechnic Magazine. The University of Westminster Archives also holds records of other Polytechnic clubs.

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.

Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions: Jan 2002


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Clubs | Leisure time activities | Leisure
Discussions (teaching method) | Teaching methods
Photographs | Visual materials
Politics | Political science
Student organizations | Educational associations | Educational administrative structure | Educational organizations

Personal names

Corporate names
Polytechnic Institute | Regent Street x Regent Street Polytechnic
Polytechnic Parliament
Youths' Christian Institute | London x Young Men's Christian Institute | London x Polytechnic Young Men's Christian Institute | London

Places
Regent Street (north) | St Marylebone | London | England | UK | Western Europe | Europe