Founded by Professor Ray Johnson in 1980, and housed at the University of Staffordshire, the archive documents the social history of the county, covering the industrial areas of Stoke on Trent and the Potteries as well as rural Staffordshire. Footage of local trades, such as pottery making, iron and steel working and coal mining predominates: also represented are football and cricket history and other sports. The primary archive material is supplemented by video filmed by Professor Johnson himself, including location film, interviews and documentaries, some of which are available to buy on DVD.