Identity area
Reference code
RB/EMBS
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 1921-1973 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1.5 metres Poor quality paper and typed carbon copies sometimes in fragile condition - files to be handled with care. Mixed paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
In 1923 the Estate Management Branch of the School of Agriculture was established in order to provide teaching for the University examination in estate management, and also to provide professional management services for University and college properties. The Estate Management branch was controlled by the Faculty Board of the School of Agriculture through the Estate Management Committee. Continuing growth in demand for professional services in estate management led to the establishment in 1946 of an independent Department of Estate Management, directly responsible to the General Board through the Board of Estate Management. The Department retained the twin functions of teaching and professional services until they were split in 1962 between the Department of Land Economy and the Estate Management and Advisory Service. In 1973, the department was again renamed as the Estate Management and Building Service.
(For further information relating to the history of the department, see Todd-Jones, 'The University's Estate Management and Building Service: its history and development', Cambridge 25 (1989), pp.76-82)
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
99.015 - These records were created by a University Department and as such should have been transferred to the University Archive. In 1999, the Estate Management and Building Service contacted the College, offering to transfer or destroy those files which it held about College buildings or properties. In response, the files were transferred to the College Archive via the University Archive, with the agreement of the Deputy Keeper of the University Archives,1999.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
These records record the advice offered by the Department of Estate Management to Gonville and Caius College regarding the management of College properties and maintenance of College buildings. The College's Bursar, E.P. Weller (Bursar, 1928-66), himself an expert in estate management, directly employed the services of the Department from the time of its establishment. Upon Weller's retirement, the College employed R. Stafford-Smith (College Surveyor and Land Agent, 1965-69) as its intermediary. The Department acted on behalf of the College following Stafford-Smith's departure until 1970, when Bidwells became the agents for the College estates.
The records consist of valuations and reports on the purchase and sale of property, the construction, repair and maintenance of agricultural and other buildings, the planning and sale of building estates, and repairs to the College fabric; as well as correspondence between correspondence between the Department, the College, tenants and contractors.
(See 'Estates Chronicle' in 'Biographical History' Volume IV for estate histories of particular College properties).
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
No longer in original order. Arranged by College estate, within county.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Subject to the University Archive's rules regarding access to its Archives.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
See also Bursarial correspondence files (BUR:C), estate management records (BUR:E) particularly the Registrum Magnum, and internal records relating to upkeep of buildings (DOM:B). See also similar migrant files held by other College repositories, as well as the departmental records held by the University Archive.