The collection comprises:
- Slides depicting images of Nottingham and surrounding communities, c.1920s-1976 (Mu B,F,G andH).
- Photographs of academic teaching staff, a model of Nottingham, and woodworking equipment, c.1940s-1970s (Mu 1).
- Volumes providing an index to the slides. They are variously divided into building type andalphabetical location, c. 1970s (Mu 2).
- Tape recording, presumably of a speech given by Mr Mugridge about the architectural history ofNottingham, undated, c. 1970s (Mu 3).
- Files containing manuscript and printed historical notes and slide running orders used for talksgiven by Mr Mugridge about the architectural history of Nottingham, undated, c. 1970s (Mu 4).
The bulk of the collection comprises slides depicting Nottingham and surrounding communities.Almost all of the slides are in colour and date from between 1964 and 1976. The focus of the slidesis almost exclusively architectural, showing details, exterior elevations and interiors ofparticular buildings. Churches, public houses, public buildings, canals, railway stations, postboxes, housing, shops, industrial buildings and parks are all shown, as is The University ofNottingham, in F61-63 and F126. Only eight slides depict people; F169-173, H35-36 show models in afashion parade, and G185 shows sheriffs of Nottingham in 1971. Only seven slides are black and whiteand they depict: a tram and car H22, bridges H51 and B5, public ceremonies H53 and B139, anengraving of Nottingham in 1820 B190, and Nottingham c.1920 G73.
The value of the collection lies in its record of many of Nottingham's buildings prior to thecomprehensive redevelopment of parts of the city centre that took place in the 1960s and 1970s. Thehigh frequency of images of derelict and disused buildings indicate that Mugridge was keen tocapture them before demolition. A relatively small number of slides capture the flavour of the '60sand '70s. Views of shop fronts seen in B93, B111, B149-150, F96, F98, G9, G63, G96, and the TheatreRoyal B110 are exceptions. A few subjects other than buildings and events are included such asWilford's Last trolley bus B175, brewery shire horses B167-168, the moving of Jessops departmentstore to the Victoria Centre F53, traders at Bulwell Market F106, and Christmas decorations on theMarket Square in 1967 G47.
Some slides are of maps or documents, F48-52 and F110 for example. Only one image does not relateto Nottingham or Nottinghamshire. It depicts Smith's Bank at Bank in the City of London in 1969.