Friends of the Centre for History

Newsletter Issue 3 February 2010 Sharing the Past with the Future

Black Country History Day 2009 by Judith Watkin

The fourth Black Country History Day, Ward, had influenced the development of by Benjamin Molineux, an ironmaster, in which was organised in partnership with the Industrial Revolution in the West of the the early 18th century. After the Exhibition the University of and the Black Country in the late 18th Century of Staffordshire Arts and Industry was held Black Country Society through his building of canals and the there in 1869, the gardens became a public (www.blackcountrysociety.co.uk), took introduction of Enclosure Bills which pleasure ground until later being used place on 24th October 2009. paved the way for the exploitation of the partly for the building of the Molineux land and particularly its minerals, thus Football Ground, home of Wolverhampton This popular day school was chaired by greatly increasing his family's wealth. Wanderers. David showed how the Malcolm Dick and opened with Paul building and its interior features had been Belford, Head of Archaeology at the Dr Catherine Round, an Outreach Officer restored from dereliction to become a state Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, for Broadfield House Glass Museum, of the art repository and centre for considering the early history of opened the afternoon session by charting Wolverhampton's Archive Service. Wednesbury Forge as it had been revealed the history of glassmaking and the during the dig he had been commissioned migration of glassworkers across Europe to The Black Country Society was founded in to carry out ahead of the redevelopment of the Stourbridge area. She showed how 1967 when it was felt that much which the site. The extensive ironworks were their art and artistry developed as characterised the area was being swept powered by water from the River Tame evidenced in the fine pieces displayed in away and that the area did not receive its which was diverted into ponds and through the Glass Museum. fair share of recognition for its great sluice gates, a complex that the excavation contribution to the industrial development had unearthed largely intact, as well as The day was rounded off by David Bishop, of Britain and the world. The Society now wheel pits and evidence of a windmill previously the Wolverhampton City has around 2,000 members throughout the considered to be the only one built for Archivist and now Development Officer for world, who receive the Society's quarterly metallurgical use. Archives for the new Library of magazine The Blackcountryman. The aims Birmingham. He considered the history of of the Society are 'to foster interest in the Trevor Raybould continued by showing Molineux House, later the Molineux Hotel, past, present and future of the Black how John, Second Viscount Dudley and which was acquired and greatly extended Country with regard to historical, social, cultural and environmental matters; to promote a high standard of planning and environmental design, and to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic interest in the Black Country'. Its voice, calling for the establishment of a local history museum in 1968, helped to provide an impetus for the setting up of what has now become the Black Country Living Museum.

For further information please contact the Membership Secretary on 01384 213479.

Pictured at Black Country History day are from left to right: Dr Trevor Raybould, Paul Belford, Dr Catherine Round; David Bishop; Judith Watkin (Secretary of the Black Country Society) and Dr Malcolm Dick, (Chair of the event).

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

Opening Up the West Midland History Research Group Past: Treasures of This new group has been created to bring together people with an interest in carrying out research on the history of the West Midlands. It is seeking Birmingham to appeal to and attract support from a wide range of current and Archives and prospective researchers, who may be active scholars, postgraduate students or local historians from a variety of backgrounds. Amongst the Heritage's Designated potential areas of interest already identified at the recent launch of the group are local industrial and transport history, social and military history, Collections the Arts and Crafts Movement and local architecture and conservation. by Sally Baggott The Research Group has amongst its objectives the creation of networks On 30th November 2009, the Friends of connecting people interested in the history of the region and the Birmingham Archives and Heritage organised development of a range of complementary group activities and projects. It their first event in Archives and Heritage. Members of the public had a unique is anticipated these may include the running of seminars and workshops opportunity to see some of the treasures held focusing on topics relevant to the Centre, the development of work for in the Designated Collections, including the future publication, and the dissemination of information and enhancement Guild Book of Knowle which dates from the of skills helpful to researchers in applying for project funding or gaining 15th Century, James Watt's notebook with his future employment. notes on steam power, and original photographs of Birmingham before the slum If are interested in joining the West Midlands History Research Group, clearances of the 1870s. please email Paul Fantom at [email protected] or Connie Wan at Dr. Andy Green, Research and Education [email protected] providing your contact details and areas of interest. Officer, said 'What's good about these events is that it's not just about getting people to access the documents; it's also about accessing the stories behind the documents.'

During the evening, Professor Ian Grosvenor, A Boulton Family Christmas Chair of the Friends, presented David Bishop, Development by Paul Finegan Officer, with a donation of £200 towards the cost to Archives and Heritage of acquiring the The series of events which marked the bicentenary of the death of Matthew Boulton Town Hall Visitors' Book. David will manage culminated in a festive event on 13th December 2009 at his former home at Soho the move to the new Library and he was House. Museum staff dressed in period costume and a Matthew Boulton enthusiastic about what the Friends can impersonator welcomed visitors to the site. contribute to that process. He said: 'The Friends will play a crucial role in making us A number of activities took place in the house. A costumed Anne Boulton recounted aware of how best we can use the spaces stories from her father's life while the housekeeper talked about traditional Georgian available in the new Library. We want to start Christmas entertainment and cooking. Elsewhere, craft activities such as making a dialogue about moving now with users and pomanders or Christmas cards kept visitors amused. A silhouette artist who cut we'd like to talk to the Friends about this. I caricature portraits from paper proved to be a huge attraction with both old and will be very interested to hear the Friends young visitors views.' Music was provided by Diabolus in Musica who played popular 18th century music For more information about the Friends of and carols using authentic instruments in the grand surroundings of the Dining Birmingham Archives and Heritage and the Room. group's future events visit www.fobah.org.uk Despite the cold, the dry, bright weather attracted a large number of visitors who were able to warm themselves up on the mulled berry punch on sale in the tearoom! Battle of Bosworth Conference 2010.

Following the recent discovery of The cost will be £10, payable on the day, to artefacts which cast doubt on the Friends' visit to St include a talk, guided tour and mid-morning alleged site of the battle, a conference refreshments. is now due to be held on 20th February Nicolas Place, Friday 2010 at County Hall in Leicester to We will meet at St Nicolas Place, The Green, discuss the location of the battlefield 5th March 2010 B38 8RU at 10.20am and and the survey findings. Glenn Foard, finish about 12.45pm. There is only limited who led the survey team, will be This half day visit to St Nicolas Place in parking on The Green but some room is speaking with other UK and US Kings Norton, Birmingham will give us a available on nearby streets. The train station chance to view the successful restoration of academics with expertise in 15th is about 15 minutes walk away. For further the Tudor Merchants House and the Old details visit www.saintnicolasplace.co.uk century warfare. Tickets (priced £40 Grammar School. The project won the BBC including refreshments, buffet lunch Restoration award in 2004. We will benefit Booking is essential because we have to give and parking) are available by calling from a talk and organised tour, drawing on advance notice of numbers to the Kings 01455 290429. For further information the expertise of the local team who have Norton staff, so please contact Sue Thomas visit www.bosworthbattlefield.com been involved throughout the project. on 07818068856 to reserve a place.

Birmingham Wednesbury Local History Society History Day by Paul Fantom Wednesbury has a very active and well-attended local history society that by Malcolm Dick meets on the first Tuesday of each month at St James's Church, Wednesbury. Each monthly meeting has a guest speaker in attendance and these talks The most recent Birmingham History Day took place on 21st November 2009. Held at the cover a wide range of topics concerning not just Wednesbury's history, but University of Birmingham, it presented the also the local history of the wider Black Country area. The Society works in history and heritage activities that have been collaboration with other agencies, including Sandwell Council's Libraries and pursued in the city during the year and new Museums Service, and over the last year has staged a number of well-received developments for the future. events. These have included an exhibition and display on the town's former Patent Shaft steel works and an event at Wednesbury's Museum and Art Part of the day focused on the Boulton 2009 Gallery that provided an interactive history of the town during the years of the events. Sally Baggott reflected upon the events Second World War. Plans for the next major exhibition are in development and and publications in which Birmingham Museums, Birmingham Archives and Heritage, the theme for this will cover the history of religion and belief in Wednesbury The , the University of from Anglo-Saxon times to the present day. Birmingham, Birmingham City University and Further details about forthcoming events and membership are available via University participated. Shena Mason Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery or by visiting the website: provided a description of two of these www/wednesburyhistorysociety.co.uk publications: Matthew Boulton: 'Selling what all the World Desires' and A Lost Landscape: Matthew Boulton's Gardens at Soho.

Other local writers also drew attention to their Friends of the Centre for West Midlands books. Ted Rudge had published two studies of Birmingham localities: to History Annual Lecture Brookfields through Time and In and Around through Time and Tony Rees book, The annual lecture of the Centre for West Midlands History will take place on the 'An Obscure Philanthropist': Frank Mathews evening of Thursday, 10th June 2010 in Lecture Room 3 on the first floor of the Arts 1871-1948 provided an insight into a little- Building of the University of Birmingham. known man who had contributed significantly to the welfare of Birmingham's invalid children. Dr Chris Upton, who is a well-known local historian and an excellent speaker, will be talking about workhouses in the West Midlands. Do keep this date recorded in your Both Birmingham Archives and Heritage and diary. More details will be provided in the next newsletter. Birmingham Museums directed attention to their roles in stimulating local knowledge of the past. The City's Genealogist, Doreen Hopwood, explored sources, databases and websites for family history, Sîan Roberts, Head Forthcoming Day Schools of Collections Development, focused upon the February to April 2010 different projects in which Archives and Heritage is involved (http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/archives), and Places are still available on the following day schools, but early booking is advised: Henrietta Lockart, Curator of History, concentrated on the recently funded history • 20th February: John Henry Newman (1801-1890): Life, Writing and Faith: £29 galleries project at Birmingham Museums and • 27th February: News from the Past: the latest Archaeological Discoveries in the Art Gallery (http://www.bmag.org.uk/new- West Midlands: £24 birmingham-history-galleries). • 20th March: War and Society in the West Midlands. The Annual Conference of the Centre for West Midlands History: £29, or £24 for Friends of the Centre for West History Day enables local organisations to draw Midlands History attention to their projects. The Winterbourne • 27th March: Plant Hunters, Parks and Gardens: Developments in Garden History Memories Project at Winterbourne House and in Birmingham and the West Midlands: £34 Garden, at the University of Birmingham, was • 10th April: The Staffordshire Hoard: £34. This is an additional day school to those described by Anna Keast. This project is that were previously advertised. creating an oral history record of those who were involved in the life of Winterbourne. For further information and booking details contact Sue Tungate, College of Arts and David Callaghan for Caribbean and Law, Arts Building, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston African Women's Development Initiative drew Birmingham B15 2TT, call 0121 415 8102 or email [email protected]. attention to 'History Detectives', a community driven project to uncover the hidden histories of ethnic minorities who migrated to the West Midlands prior to World War II. Steve Beauchampé and Jenny Austin, focused on the Membership of the friends continues to grow architectural and cultural history of Membership of the Friends of the Centre for West Midlands History now stands at 84 Road Baths, the subject of the 'Pool of and numbers continue to increase steadily as a result of the promotion of the Memories' project. One high spot of the day was organisation at events and day schools. If you are already a member and would be the presentation of 'The History Show' DVD, by happy to receive communication by email, please contact Malcolm Dick at Norman Bartlam and the News Team of Ladywood, a children's view of local history [email protected] if you haven't already provided us with your email address. over the past year.

MA in West Midlands Buildings at Risk in History The University of Birmingham's MA in West Midlands History Birmingham and the (http://www.cbamh.bham.ac.uk/ma.htm) runs part-time over two years on nine Saturdays throughout the year. It is suitable for mature West Midlands students including those in work or who are retired, as well as recent graduates. The course by Paul Finegan explores the history of the West Midlands from Anglo-Saxon times up to the present. Tutors on This popular day school, which was held on Saturday 28th November 2009, the programme are experts in the history of the region and use a variety of teaching methods. featured five different speakers talking about four very different buildings. The course includes investigation of primary sources and visits to places of interest. It is The day began with Irene de Boo introducing the audience to Castle assessed by a written assignments and a Ruins, which are under the ownership of Birmingham City Council research-based dissertation, and there are no Community Museums. Irene gave a history of the site and explained some exams! The course does not aim for a complete of the problems facing the site today, including that of well-meaning repairs coverage of the history of the region, but rather carried out in the 20th century. The site has fallen victim to vandalism over will allow the students to acquire an in-depth recent years and with this in mind, Kirsty Nichol explained the current knowledge of a series of major themes. The plans for the site which includes greater engagement with the local course has been running since 2006 and is community. A new visitor centre is currently being constructed which will open to good honours graduates in any eventually be handed over to the local community for their use. Kirsty also discipline or those with equivalent professional highlighted the different groups that have committed to a partnership qualifications. agreement with the site that will bring in welcome funding. The future of For more details contact Dr Malcolm Dick on ruins is looking up! [email protected] or 0121 415 8253.

George Demidowicz has been working on the site of the Soho Foundry (later Averys) and presented a slide show at the day school which demonstrated how the site is being preserved today. However, the site itself is in danger from encroachment from the businesses adjacent to the site as well as general weathering. Work is ongoing to minimise these impacts but the future of the site remains uncertain. New local history group for Birmingham The work of the Moseley Baths project was highlighted by Steve by Paul Finegan Beauchampe. He gave a brief history of public baths within the city before focusing on Moseley Baths themselves. Steve's slide show contrasted the On 24th November 2009, a meeting was held to baths at the height of their popularity with how they look today. The site launch a new local history group for the Weoley itself has seen a decline in use as a public bathhouse but is still visited by Castle area. This follows on from a meeting earlier in the year when a group calling itself people wishing to use the pool. Many of the original features are still in 'Castle Keepers' was set up to look at place and it is hoped that by promoting use of the site that the features can preserving and promoting the castle ruins. be preserved. A Friends organisation has been established to publicise the plight of the baths and Steve is currently writing a history of the baths. The group is very keen to draw a distinction between the castle ruins and the area of Weoley Castle and as such has chosen the name Sally Hoban gave an insight into the Modernist Lubetkin enclosures and Weoley Castle District History Group to reflect buildings at Dudley Zoo. She highlighted the problems facing these their all encompassing brief. nationally important buildings and how some of them have been preserved. If the Dudley buildings are to survive, new uses need to be found for them The group is in its embryonic stage at the moment and is being co-ordinated by Caroline and Sally explained how this has been managed with the Penguin Pool at Mosley and Kirsty Nichol. It is chaired by Jo London Zoo. Palmer, who is a recent graduate of The University of Birmingham. Jo's BA dissertation The day finished with an open forum where members of the audience were focused on the development of the Weoley invited to question the speakers about each site and conservation issues in Castle Housing Estate. general. The new group aims to research the built environment of the area, gather local memories, The day was a real eye opener for me and highlighted the different hold various open meetings and possibly problems that face different sites. Different conservation approaches need to develop a website. be taken in each case but the argument that the best way to preserve a For further information please email building is to keep finding a use for it still holds true. [email protected]