Barbers’ Historical Society

The Barbers’ Historical Society was started in 1987 as the Historical Group, under the chairmanship of Past Master Sir Francis Avery Jones. The aim of the Group was to expand the knowledge of the history of the Company by involving members in original research thereby encouraging greater use of its ever-expanding library and remains its aim today. The Group meets 4 times a year and meetings either take the form of a presentation either by a BHS member or visiting speaker and buffet supper in the Hall, or an outside visit.

Upcoming events:

May 19 2025 6.30pm-9pm. BHS meeting with:

Liveryman Revd Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, Kt entitled 'Reframing the History of Sex and Christianity', taking a look at the thorny subject of sex, gender and the family, as explored in Diarmaid's critically acclaimed new book 'Lower than the Angels', revealing sometimes conveniently forgotten facts of how sex was viewed throughout Christian history, and:

Archivist Ruth de Wynter on 'The Rowney Family and the Barbers' Company - from wig powder sellers to artists' colourmen'

The Society has 3 main aims:

To commission a programme of research and presentations for its quarterly meetings
To encourage members of the Company to use the archives and library for research and to assist the Archivist
To publish at intervals folios of research and to record public presentations and other work done by members

The current officers of the Society are:

Chairman: Sara Cooke
Secretary: Richard Pusey
Treasurer: Derek Adams