Keeping a formal documentary history of the region was historically the domain of individual local State government agencies and the Church. The State Library of NSW was the only agency actively accepting donations from New Englanders. The State Library utilised the potential of Armidale as a repository by relocated its archival treasures from Sydney to Armidale in 1942 to protect the records from Japanese attack. This secret wartime activity used the Armidale Teachers College basement. After WWII the New England University College began seeking historical materials for research and teaching. Prior to the introduction of the State Archives Act of 1960, this saw many loans between government agencies and the University. The State Archives Act allowed the University to formally establish an archival repository charged with collecting history from the public and holding NSW Government archives in Armidale for public access.