About the Archives

Your City Archives

Surrey Archives is situated on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Salish peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) Nations. 

Surrey Archives is the official City of Surrey agency tasked with acquiring, preserving, and making accessible, archival records that document the history and development of Surrey. The Archives is funded and operated by the City of Surrey. 

Connecting You to Local History

The Surrey Archives is your place for all questions big and small about Surrey’s history. We strive to make resources available both in person and digitally from home. We are constantly exploring new ways to connect you to Surrey’s past so you can discover how people have lived, worked and played in Surrey. Our collection, featuring records from community members and Surrey’s civic government, are yours to explore. 

Explore the Online Heritage Tools

Values Guiding Our Work

• Relevance: We are not a stuffy institution. Our work is about human lives. We work hard to draw connections between the past and present.   

• Accessibility:  We want to remove barriers of all kinds to ensure that Surrey citizens have the opportunity to seek, enjoy and use the resources that are in our care. 

• Diversity: We are an archives for all citizens of Surrey. We look for ways to involve and represent every community in our city. Read our Commitment to Anti-Racism.  

• Stewardship: We responsibly care for the heritage resources entrusted to us. And, we are a trusted source of information about the communities of our city.  

• Service: We value professional, knowledgeable and courteous staff who provide superb service to all of our clients.  

• Partnership: We believe in collaboration and enjoy partnering with organizations in our community to offer events, programs and other initiatives.