University of Salford Photographic Archive

A large and extensive collection of photographic images relating to the history the University of Salford.

The photographs cover a range of themes from buildings, royal visits, honorary graduates, staff and students. They provide a visual record of the institution’s complex history from its beginnings as the Royal Technical Institute Salford in 1896, housed in the iconic red-brick Peel Building at Peel Park.

Many of photographs featured in official institutional publications including the Vice Chancellor's Annual Report, copies of which form part of the physical University Archive. Early photographs in the collection were featured in the annual prospectus' of the 1930s. These show facilities, workshops and laboratories of the Building, Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry Departments of what was then the Royal Technical College (renamed in 1921). There are also several images relating to the School of Art, including an image of L. S. Lowry during a costume drawing class in the Peel Building.

Explore the Collection

Royal visit

Prince Philip on campus in 1971.

Chemistry Tower

The implausible Chemistry Tower in the 1980s. It was demolished in the early 1990s.

A stitch in time

A sewing class at the Royal Technical College in the 1930s.

The photographs show how the physical campus changed and developed, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, at a time when tertiary education was expanding. Images show the construction of the Maxwell Building, designed for the newly established Royal College of Advanced Technology in 1957, followed by the Cockcroft Building, Chemistry Tower and Civil Engineering Building in the 1960s. Images of architect's models are a useful insight for the wider Masterplan and strategic vision for the University campus during the 1970s. The image of the Paternoster Lift in the now demolished Chemistry Tower is an example of the value of photography to capture aspects of the past that no longer exist.

There are several images of the University's First Chancellor, HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. He is shown visiting the institution over several years, and opening the neighbouring Salford Technical Institute (later Salford College of Technology) in 1967. There are images showing the visit of the Queen to the Royal College of Advanced Technology in 1961.

The photographs provide an insight into student life in the 1970s and 1980s, with images of student accommodation including the Castle Irwell Student Village, Freshers Fairs, Rag Day and student demonstrations. The collection has photographs of staff outings and Christmas socials, and staff and student sports teams in the 1940s.

The collection provides a visual record of the University numerous honorary graduates which include the artist L. S. Lowry; the cellist Jacqueline du Pre; Lady Brenda Hale; the musician Peter Gabriel and the athleteRoger Bannister.

A lecture in the Chapman Building in the 1970s

How can it be used?

As a visual record of the history of the University of Salford and its processor institutions; to understand how a university campus changes over time, the construction of buildings. Complements the film footage from the University of Salford's Audio-Visual archive collection.

Who might be interested?

People interested in the history of the University of Salford; researchers and students of architecture; local and family historians.

Types of material

Photographic images.