Our Archives

The archives of The College of Psychic Studies hold a unique and historically significant collection relating to spiritualism, mediumship and psychical research. Due to the nature of the collection and our limited staffing, access to the archives is carefully managed. We aim to support meaningful research while ensuring the long-term care of these materials.

Access to the archives

Access is by appointment only and subject to staff availability. We are not able to accommodate drop-in visits or general browsing of the collection. All visits must be arranged in advance and are dependent on our capacity at the time of request.

Who we can support

We welcome enquiries from:

• Researchers with a clearly defined topic or question
• Authors, academics and independent scholars
• Individuals working towards a specific project or outcome

As we do not hold a publicly accessible catalogue, we rely on our knowledge of the collection to assess requests.

Limitations

Due to the size of our team, we are not able to support:

• Open-ended or exploratory visits
• General interest enquiries without a clear research focus
• Extensive research carried out on behalf of visitors

We may need to decline requests where we are unable to support them within our current capacity.

Making a request

If you would like to access the archives, please send an enquiry including:

• A clear description of your research topic
• Any specific materials or subject areas of interest
• The purpose or intended outcome of your research

Requests should be submitted at least 4–6 weeks in advance.

What to expect

Where possible, we may offer:

• A limited in-person appointment
• A brief response to specific enquiries

Access is typically time-limited and structured in advance.

Loans from the archives

The College of Psychic Studies may consider requests to loan items from the archives for exhibition. Due to the nature of the collection and limited staffing, loans are exceptional and subject to strict conditions.

Eligibility

We will only consider loan requests from:

• Accredited museums, galleries, or recognised cultural institutions
• Organisations able to meet appropriate standards of care, security and display

We are not able to lend to private individuals.

Making a loan request

All loan requests must be made in writing by the contact form on this page and include:

• Details of the borrowing institution
• Exhibition title, venue and dates
• The purpose and context of the loan
• Specific items requested (where known)
• Information on display conditions, security and environmental controls

As we do not have a public catalogue, we are unable to respond to broad or speculative requests. 

Notice period

Requests should be submitted at least 12 months in advance. We may not be able to consider requests submitted outside this timeframe.

Assessment

All loan requests are subject to internal review, including consideration of:

• The condition and suitability of the material
• Risks associated with transport and display
• Staff capacity to support the loan process

We reserve the right to decline requests at our discretion.

Conditions of loan

If a loan is approved, the borrowing institution will be required to:

• Meet agreed standards for handling, display, and environmental conditions
• Arrange and cover all costs associated with the loan
• Comply with any additional conditions set by the College

Fees

We do not currently charge for archive access. However, availability is limited and access is granted at our discretion. For loans, the College expects borrowing institutions to cover all direct costs associated with the loan. These may include:

• Transportation and courier costs
• Crating and packing materials
• Insurance, or cover provided through a national indemnity scheme
• Condition reporting and photography

International borrowers may also be asked to contribute to the costs of preparing items for loan, including administration, technical support, and any essential conservation work required. All costs and requirements will be agreed in advance as part of the loan process.

Further information

As we do not have a publicly available catalogue, we are not able to provide comprehensive lists of materials. Access depends on staff availability and familiarity with the collection. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to supporting focused and meaningful research where possible.