Started as a records centre in 1966. In 2001 a purpose-built archival building was opened thereby National Archives of Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) began offering both archival, records and library services. Some of the oldest archival material in Bulawayo Archives are the archives from Bulawayo City Council which date back from 1899.

Also included in the archival collection are the archives from High Court and Magistrates Court in the form of deceased estate files, civil cases files and criminal records. There are also archives from different local government authorities such as Essexvale, Hwange, Khezi, Gwanda etc. There are also delineation reports covering Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North. There is again a collection of oral history covering the cultural aspects of the ethnic groups in Matabeleland. The library at Bulawayo Archives benefits from the Printed Publications Act. This has led to a comprehensive collection of different books and different newspapers including the first Chronicle newspaper of 1894 to present.