West Midlands History
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Friends of the Centre for West Midlands 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 Birmingham 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, University of Birmingham (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, Edgbaston, 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, Birmingham City Council 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 Kings Norton 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.