Description:A view of 18 and 19 Eastgate Street, Stafford, the home of the William Salt Library between 1918 and 2022. Number 19, a Grade II* listed Georgian town house, is now believed to have a hidden timber core dating back to 1585 or before.
William Salt was a banker and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, born in 1808. His home was in Weeping Cross. His widow, Helen, donated his collection of books, pamphlets, deeds, maps, and drawings to the county in 1868. The library was originally housed in Old Bank House on Market Square, donated by William's nephew, Thomas Salt, for this purpose. The library expanded through donations and larger premises were required. The collection moved to its current home on Eastgate Street in 1918. The library closed in 2022 but the building will become part of the Staffordshire History Centre, where William Salt's collection will be available from 2024.