What we do

We campaign to save outstanding buildings and design that have shaped the British landscape since 1914. Some are iconic, others are little-known gems, but all of them are irreplaceable and many are under threat.

You can help us save them by joining us, donating, attending our events or buying our publications, including our magazine C20.

Our people

Our people combine expertise in various fields with a shared passion for 20th century architecture. The Twentieth Century Society is run day to day by a small, permanent team with ongoing support from our volunteers and trustees.

• Meet our people
• Meet our trustees

Our story

The Twentieth Century Society was founded in 1979, as a direct response to growing interest in C20th architecture and to complement the preservation work of the Victorian Society, which was founded in 1959.

From day one, our focus has been on preservation and education: campaigning to protect the buildings and design that characterise C20th Britain; helping as many people as possible to appreciate their importance and beauty.

Today, we are involved in a number of important campaigns, all of which involve our experts, members, volunteers and supporters. We undertake casework related to planning applications for listed buildings, as we have a statutory role in the planning system.

The C20 Society runs a busy schedule of events (including guided tours, conferences and lectures) and publishes books and a thrice-yearly magazine, C20. The income from these activities is used to fund our campaigns, casework and running costs.

You can explore our history interactively on the C20 timeline or read a more detailed history, written by Gavin Stamp and Alan Powers.

• View timeline
• Read article

Governance

The Twentieth Century Society is a registered UK charity. We are governed by a Board of Trustees. Full details of our governance and risk management processes are outlined in the key documents provided here.

• See details