Catalogue description Ancient Monuments Board for England: Minutes and Annual Reports

The Ancient Monuments Board for England, established in 1913, consisted of eminent archaeologists, historians and representatives of learned societies and interested public bodies appointed by the Minister responsible for Public Buildings and Works. Under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 members were appointed for a period of five years. Prior to this there had been no time limit for a member's period of appointment. The function of the board was to advise the Minister as to monuments the preservation of which was of national importance. Excluded from the board's jurisdiction were any structures occupied as a dwelling by any person other than a caretaker and his family or any ecclesiastical building being used for religious purposes.

The Secretary of the board was originally an Inspector of Ancient Monuments, but from 1954 the post was occupied by a principal in the ministry directorate responsible for the administration of ancient monuments.

The 1953 Act required the board to produce an annual report. The first of these was published in 1954. Previous to this date, few if any reports of the Board's activities had been published.

Responsibility for deciding which monuments were candidates for consideration by the board and for subsequent action rested with the directorate of the ministry responsible for the administration of ancient monuments.