The beginnings of the National Archives can be traced back to the aftermath of the disastrous fire of 1903 at the Red House in Port of Spain.

Subsequently, provision was made in the construction of new government buildings for fireproof strong vaults for the storage of records.

This memorandum drew to his attention the historical value of the records at the Harbour Masters’ Department, their condition and the need for their preservation at a suitable location.

The Colonial Secretary solicited the assistance of the Trinidad Historical Society to appraise these records.

They offered their full co-operation to the Government to collect and preserve ‘records of historical interest’.

This Committee's mandate included the appraisal, disposal, accommodation and preservation of records in all Government Departments.

The Trinidad Historical Society began to lobby for the development of a Public Records Office and suggested the appointment of a competent Archivist.

Work resumed when Eric Williams assumed the post of President of the Trinidad Historical Society in May 1954.

He advised the Government to request technical assistance in connection with cataloguing, maintenance and preservation of Archives of the British Caribbean with special reference to Trinidad and Tobago.

Nevertheless, through his many detailed letters, Williams persisted to exert pressure on the Government towards preserving archival records of Trinidad and Tobago.

In June 1954 the Acting Governor Maurice Dorman proposed the establishment of an Archival Office under the supervision of the Central Library with an Advisory Committee consisting of concerned persons.

This programme included practical training and covered the following areas: - Paper/Document Preservation and Restoration, Microfilming and Audio Visual Archives.

In 1993 a project for the acquisition of audio visual material was started in conjunction with the Information Division, Office of the Prime Minister.

This led to an increase in the number of restored documents and the acquisition of state of the art conservation equipment.

We continue to upgrade staff and equipment in all areas to keep abreast of changing standards and technology for the care and preservation of archival information.