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Friends of the Centre for History

Newsletter Issue 1 August 2009 Sharing the Past with the Future

elcome to the first issue of the region or relevant professional welcoming you at the first of our the newsletter for the expertise. The overall aim is to Friends events at Art WFriends of the Centre for provide an active forum in which to Gallery on September 12th. West Midlands History. The Centre share experiences and historical aims to create a forum for the study of research to help raise the profile of In the next issue, we will introduce the history of the West Midlands, and local and regional history in the wider you to the Committee Members of the runs the MA in West Midlands community. Friends and provide further History, an annual conference and information about exclusive events operates a range of day schools. The The benefits of being a Friend include and activities for members. Centre has provided support for discounted attendance fees at the various historical projects and worked Centre's conferences, the opportunity In the meantime, please send your with heritage professionals and to attend exclusive social events and feedback on this issue and any news independent scholars in the wider visits to places of historical interest in items that you would like to be community. the region, and volunteering considered for future publication to opportunities. the Editor, Sally Hoban, at The purpose of the Friends is to build [email protected] or write links between the Centre and others We hope that you enjoy reading this to Dr Malcolm Dick at the University with a strong interest in the history of newsletter, and look forward to of .

Friends' event to Attendees will Day schools and need to make Wolverhampton Art their own way to the Gallery, events Gallery Saturday 12th which is located Friends of the Centre for West Midlands September 2009 just a few History will receive full information about minutes walk from Wolverhampton train and bus stations in Lichfield Street. There is an the programme of day schools and evening We are delighted to announce the first of our excellent café at the Gallery in which you can classes at the University in September. These exclusive free events for the Friends of the purchase refreshments during the visit. You can will include a number of events devoted to Centre for West Midlands History. find out more at the history and archaeology of the West www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/wolves. Midlands. It will be a visit to Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Saturday, 12th September between 2pm and For further information and to reserve a place, There will be a series of eight evening 5pm, in which curator Olga Baird will give us please email [email protected] classes: ' (1728-1809): a talk and tour of the Museum's new Victorian or telephone 0121-427 8163. You will receive industry, science and the arts in Britain' on Galleries. further details about the visit when you book. Wednesday evenings between 21 October and 9 December 2009, 6.30pm - 8.30pm in the Arts Building, . The normal price for these classes is £89. Free access to 1911 census Friends will be entitled to a discount of £5. Birmingham Archives and Heritage is one of seven archives and libraries around that will be There will also be a reduction in the price of given free access to the recently completed online records of the 1911 census. attending the annual conference of the Centre for West Midlands History: 'War and Society The National Archives, in collaboration with UK-based family history website findmypast.com, is in the West Midlands' on Saturday 20 March providing free access to the census, available at 1911census.co.uk. A date for the free launch of the 2010. More details later. To register your service at Birmingham is not yet available, however the National Archives website suggests contacting interest for either of these events, contact participating institutions directly to find out the when the service will be available. Call 0121 303 4549 Malcolm Dick at [email protected]. or email [email protected].

Are you reading this but are not a member of the Friends? If you would like to join contact Dr Malcom Dick, Centre for West Midlands History, School of History and Cultures, University of Birmingham, , Birmingham, B15 2TT or email [email protected] for further information.

achievements (see Dr Sally Baggott's article in this newsletter ) and there are Boulton Boulton Conference 2009 Matthew Boulton exhibitions being held as far away as the Speed Museum in Kentucky, USA, and the By Dr Sally Baggott 1728 - 1809 - Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. The conference 'Where Genius and the Arts Preside: Matthew Boulton 1728-1809', was held at Bicentenary Year Fortunately you don't have to go so far to see the University of Birmingham and Birmingham the most extensive exhibition, 'Matthew By Sue Tungate City University from 3rd - 5th July 2009. It Boulton: Selling what all the world desires', attracted an audience of around 75 per day (86 If you have not already heard, 2009 is the which is at the Birmingham Museum and Art individuals over the weekend). Participants came bicentenary of the death of Matthew Boulton Gallery's Gas Hall until 27th September and from as far afield as Australia, the United States (1728-1809). So many of the advantages entrance is free. The exhibition shows the and Canada, and from Sweden, France, Russia society now enjoys are due to the brilliance invaluable contributions made by Boulton to and Italy. A wide range of specialists from and entrepreneurship of people such as our nation's heritage in his artistic, social and universities and non- academic institutions, plus Boulton. His vital role in developing steam scientific endeavours. The exclusive collection independent scholars and interested members of engineering with Watt, and the provision of an of pictures, artefacts, memoirs, letters and the public, gave a series of fascinating talks on a efficient coinage, gave an incredible boost to other objects produced by Boulton, includes variety of topics. the efficiency of industry and commerce at the material from Birmingham Museums and start of the . Matthew Archives but also significant loans from the University representatives taking part came from Boulton was also a great supporter of cultural Royal Collection, private collections, the Universities of Birmingham, Exeter, activities within Birmingham and a founding Birmingham Assay Office, and other national museums. Glamorgan, , Salford, and Birmingham member of the Lunar Society, a group of City University in Britain, and the University of eighteenth century enlightenment thinkers Another free exhibition is on until May 2010 at Turin, Italy, the College of William and Mary, which included luminaries such as Joseph Williamsburg, Virginia, EHESS, (École des Priestley, Erasmus Darwin and Josiah the Barber Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Birmingham. It features Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales) Paris, Wedgwood. Boulton's Mint products and is entitled Uppsala University, Sweden, University of 'Matthew Boulton and the Art of Making California, Los Angeles, University of Georgia, Boulton started life as the son of a Money'. The exhibition focuses on the art of and University of New South Wales, Australia. Birmingham button maker and rose to become making money in all its aspects, as mechanical a great industrial pioneer. In the 18th century art, fine art and the art of making a profit. The Specialists included those from Birmingham his was well known all over coins, medals, tokens, dies and books on Museums and Archives services, Thinktank Europe, and the Soho Mint was where modern display show a wonderful variety of artistic Birmingham, Wolverhampton Museum and Art coining methods were first developed. Boulton designs. The exhibits have come from the Gallery, the British Museum, the Science also helped to establish Birmingham's canal collections at the British Museum and Museum, Linnaean Society, Coventry City system and its General Hospital, and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, with the Council Conservation and Archaeology, the Birmingham Assay Office, now the busiest in majority coming from the Birmingham Assay Society for the History of Astronomy, the Royal the world. Office. Northern College of Music, and the Birmingham Assay Office as well as the Smithsonian In July 2009 a prestigious international For more information about the Boulton Institution, Washington DC and Powerhouse conference was held in Birmingham to bicentenary events see Museum, Sydney, Australia. celebrate Matthew Boulton's life and www.matthewboulton2009.org The talks on Boulton ranged over his long and varied activities from the establishment of his famous Soho Manufactory, his relationship with Selling what all the world desires - Free events at and his various employees, and his family life. His technological developments in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) metal processing, steam engines, and minting were covered with much discussion on the Free tours of the Boulton exhibition with a museum Guide take place on Fridays at 1pm. products of the Soho Mint. Also Boulton's design Please meet at the exhibition entrance to take part in a tour. Pre-booking is not required in silver, Sheffield plate and ormolu plus the but numbers may be limited. establishment of the Birmingham Assay Office Forthcoming talks: were detailed. Some very useful contributions were made about Boulton's overseas contacts such Saturday 22 August Saturday 12 September as his Jewish partners in Paris and Thomas 'Matthew Boulton and the Forgers' 'Mechanical Painting: Ingenious process of Jefferson and others. Dr David Symons, Curator of Antiquities smoke and mirrors?' and Numismatics, BMAG Barbara Fogarty There were also visits to the exhibitions being Saturday 29 August Saturday 19 September held at the Barber Institute for Fine Arts, 'How they built a better ' 'Birmingham and the Toy Trade: Story of an University of Birmingham 'Matthew Boulton and Dr Jim Andrew, Collections Advisor, industrial boomtown' the Art of Making Money and also to the Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum Sylvia Crawley, Curator (Applied Art), BMAG Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery exhibition 'Matthew Boulton: Selling what all the World Saturday 5 September Saturday 26 September desires', plus a concert on Saturday 'Hark I hear 'Matthew Boulton and the Birmingham 'Enchanted Castle: Visitors to the Soho Musick! An evening with Matthew Boulton and Assay Office' Manufactory, 1765-1809' Friends' at St Phillips Cathedral, Birmingham. Dr Sally Baggott, Birmingham Assay Professor Peter Jones, University of Office Birmingham The proceedings of the conference will be published in due course by Ashgate and All talks take place in the AV room to the rear of the Gas Hall at 1pm. Talks last for contributions will be edited by Professor Ken approximately 45 minutes, with time for questions and discussion. Admission free; pre-booking Quickenden of Birmingham City University and not required. Dr Sally Baggott of the Assay Office.

Matthew Boulton Book List

Phillada Ballard, Val Loggie and Shena Mason Lunar Society Odyssey DL, Birmingham of current knowledge about Boulton to a wide (2009) A Lost Landscape Matthew Boulton's public as well as specialists in the history of the Gardens at Soho Phillimore, Chichester Shena Mason (ed.) (2009) 'Selling What All The 18th and early 19th centuries. World Desires': Matthew Boulton, 1728-1809 Richard Clay and Sue Tungate (eds.) (2009) Yale University Press, London and New Haven Another new book is Matthew Boulton and the Matthew Boulton and the Art of Making Money Art of Making Money by Richard Clay and Sue Brewin, Studley Shena Mason (2005) The Hardware Man's Tungate (eds.), also published by Brewin Books Daughter: Matthew Boulton and his 'Dear Girl' and priced at £9.95. This catalogue accompanies Malcolm Dick (ed.) (2009) Matthew Boulton: a Phillimore, Chichester the exhibition at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. Revolutionary Player Brewin, Studley Megan Gooch, who reviewed the book in the July Kenneth Quickenden (2009) Boulton Silver and 2009 issue of the Numismatic Circular said: 'This H.W. Dickinson (1936; republished 1999) Sheffield Plate Silver Society in association book is a perfect introduction to Matthew Matthew Boulton TEE Publishing, Leamington with Birmingham City University, London Boulton's role as a coin manufacturer, with a Spa scope broad enough to interest the non-specialist Jenny Uglow (2002) The Lunar Men: Friends but with enough depth of discussion that Richard Doty (1998) The Soho Mint and Made the Future Faber and Faber, London seasoned numismatists with fine it a worthwhile Industrialization of Money National Museum of read … there is so much that can be said about American History, Smithsonian Institution, in Boulton that distilling it into one relatively slim association with Spink and the British New books on Matthew Boulton book is quite an achievement.' Numismatic Society. British Numismatic Society Special Publication No 2 London One of the books resulting from Boulton 2009 is Matthew Boulton: a Revolutionary Player, a well- Nicholas Goodison (1974; amended 2002) illustrated and accessible book published by Matthew Boulton Ormolu Christies, London Brewin Books and priced at £14.99. Edited by Malcolm Dick, this paperback explores the life Peter M. Jones (2008) Industrial and importance of the industrialist and Enlightenment: Science, technology and culture entrepreneur, who lived from 1728 to 1809. in Birmingham and the West Midlands, 1760- Boulton promoted new technology and 1820 Manchester University Press, Manchester manufacturing techniques at his Soho Manufactory and Mint in Handsworth and the This medallic scale image of Boulton dates from 1803/4 and Andrew P.B. Lound (2008) Lunatick Soho Foundry in . Fourteen scholars was engraved during his lifetime. All the other memorial Astronomy: The Astronomical Activities of the and heritage professionals communicate the state medals showing his image were made after his death.

Matthew Boulton For more information and to reserve a place please email events@.ac.uk

or call 0121 204 4552 17/09/09 Discovery Day

u Matthew Boulton's Life and Work u Matthew Boulton and his Presented by Dr Malcolm Dick, Director of Revolution in British Coinage the Centre for West Midlands History at Presented by Sue Tungate, co-curator of An exhibition in the University of Birmingham. the exhibition Matthew Boulton and the Art the Great Hall and of Making Money at the Barber Institute. interactive u The Medical Dimensions of the lectures will run Lunar Society u Matthew Boulton's Mechanical in parallel with Paintings Presented by Dr Michael Jepson, a Visiting the main lectures Fellow at Aston University until 2006 and Presented by Barbara Fogarty, History of on the day. current committee member of The British Art, University of Birmingham. Society for the History of Pharmacy. Tickets needed for admission to u Commemoration Lecture in main lectures u The History and Importance of collaboration with the Lunar Society only, which Canals to Matthew Boulton and the includes a buffet Development of the Industrial Technologies for Sustainable lunch. Revolution Transport Presented by Graham Fisher MBE, Past Presented by Professor Chairman of the Staffordshire & Julia King CBE FREng, Admission free Worcestershire Canal Society. Vice-Chancellor, Aston University.

MA in West Another student, Christine Mann, says: 'There is a song which starts with the question “Where do I begin …?” Midlands History and I confess to much fellow-feeling with the lyricist. I CASTLE OPEN have been asked to share my experiences of the MA in West Midlands History. How can I convey so much in DAY This MA is aimed particularly at part-time, mature so little space? students interested in the history of the West Midlands 19TH JULY 2009 region. 'I could start with happy memories of stimulating study days and site visits, led by expert tutors, who certainly By Paul Finegan The course is broadly chronological and it covers the kept us on our toes. I would have to approve the scope history of the region from the 11th century to the end of and variety of the modules and the opportunities for As part of National Archaeology Week, the 20th. It does not aim for a complete century-by- investigating so many historical facets. What about the Ruins held its annual open century coverage of the history of the region, but rather efficiency of the course administration and the day on Sunday, 19th July. The Castle will allow the students to acquire an in depth dissemination of information? I would certainly (which is actually a 13th-century fortified knowledge of a series of major themes. highlight the camaraderie with fellow enthusiasts, sharing the frustrations and challenges every step of the manor house) is a scheduled ancient way from the 11th to the 21st century. monument and is part of Birmingham Students will also have the opportunity to research a topic of their own choice under the supervision of one Community Museums. It has held an 'Of course it was hard work. I have memories of long open day over the last few years with of the members of the Centre for West Midlands History, using one of the many archival or other hours spent in libraries and archives, studying visitor numbers increasing each year and historical resources available in the region. The MA documents, ploughing through long reading lists 2009 was no exception. will provide students with the in-depth training (which, it has to be said, did include some pretty heavy necessary to understand and use these sources. tomes). Then there was the repeated editing of essays and the suspense awaiting marks and feedback. The course is delivered through the medium of Saturday schools (three per term), running from 10.00 'These, and more, were all part of the whole rewarding a.m. to 5.30 p.m., organised around lectures, seminars, experience for me - one I would heartily recommend to small group workshops and day trips. anyone interested in the history of this area. I learnt a lot about myself as I learnt about the place I call home So what is the course actually like? We asked our and the course nurtured a desire to continue learning. students to share their experiences for the newsletter. 'So, where to begin? At the beginning. Request Sue Thomas, who was a student on the MA between information on the MA in West Midlands History and 2008-2010 says: 'Starting a university course as a see where it leads. You won't regret it.' mature student can be an unnerving experience but on the MA in West Midlands History there is plenty of help If you would like to find out more, contact Dr Malcolm available. Malcolm Dick and Sally Baggott offer Dick at [email protected], or write to Dr Malcolm tutorial and study skills advice and the module leaders Dick, Centre for West Midlands History, School of As the gates opened at one o'clock, so did and teachers produce detailed outlines and reading History and Cultures, University Of Birmingham, the heavens, however that did not dampen lists. The lecturers are experts in their own fields. The Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT. enthusiasm and over 900 visitors were structure of the course means that second year students entertained by sword fighting displays are on hand to give the real low-down to the new and a Mummers play. They were also students - something I found very useful during my first treated to guided tours of the Castle by year. Now it's my turn to offer encouragement to those amongst others site curators Jane starting the course this autumn. McArdle and Irene de Boo and City Roger Bruton Archaeologist, Mike Hodder. 'The course concentrates on the West Midlands but has took this a very broad reach - covering a thousand years of photograph during a visit The site has recently received a grant history over the two years! I can't think of another way of getting such a good historical grounding in such a to Ironbridge which will enable the construction of a as part of the short time. The course needs hard work and new visitor/community centre. The plans MA in West commitment but offers tremendous rewards, new for this were available, enabling visitors Midlands friends, and a lot of fun.' History. to see how the site will look when finished. Work on this project is due to start in the next few weeks under the guidance of Kirsty Nichol. The open day was also used to recruit potential volunteers from the local community who expressed an interest in helping out at the Celebrating and promoting Birmingham's history is one of the main activities of the Birmingham Civic site at a later date. Society and its Heritage Committee works to bring that history to the notice of residents and visitors alike.

The event closed at 4pm and a service Almost 100 Blue Plaques draw attention to just some of the men and women who have not only shaped the was held on site in the area which is city, but also influenced the country; the Society's Heritage Buildings Guide is the most popular published believed to have once housed the chapel. guide to Birmingham, with 750,000 copies distributed so far. Now the Society's Heritage Group wants to Although there is no access to the site mark more of the important historical sites around the city by erecting History Plates. Last year, for example, itself, there is a viewing platform and the site of Birmingham's last public hanging, in 1806, was marked in this way at a ceremony attended by the interpretation boards and there will be Lord Mayor and other plaques are on the way. The Society would very much like to hear from you if you open weekends and bank holidays until feel there is a significant event in Birmingham's history that should be considered by the Heritage Committee for a History Plate - they don't need to be quite so grim! 2nd November. Send your suggestions by August 28th to Elaine Mitchell at [email protected] or write to For further information visit The Birmingham Civic Society, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham B3 3BS. A is available www.bmag.org.uk/weoley-castle on the Society's website at www.birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk and if you would like a copy of the Society's or call 0121 464 2193. magazine, Birmingham Perspectives, please let her have your postal address.