Britain's Friendliest
Open-air Museum
Discover a fascinating world when you visit this urban heritage park in the shadow of Dudley Castle at the heart of the Black Country
Historic buildings from all around the Black Country have been moved and authentically rebuilt at the Museum, to create a tribute to the traditional skills and enterprise of the people that once lived in the heart of industrial Britain.
Electric tramcars and trolleybuses transport visitors back in time from the modern exhibition halls to the canal-side village, where costumed demonstrators and working craftsmen bring the buildings to life with their local knowledge, practical skills and unique Black Country humour.
With 26 acres of living history there is plenty to see and do: (click to explore)
Explore the modern exhibition halls
Travel on a tramcar
Experience the underground coalmine
Ride on the fairground swingboats
Take a lesson in the old-fashioned school
Meet the characters in the shops and houses
Visit the horses
Watch the demonstrations of metal-working, sweet-making and glass-cutting
See a silent film in the 1920s Cinema
Enjoy a pint in the Bottle and Glass Inn
Sample the traditional fish and chips from the 1930's Fried Fish Shop
or just soak up the atmosphere.
New Director Steams in to Museum
Bosses at the Black Country Living Museum today announced the appointment of Andrew Lovett as the new Museum Director and Chief Executive. Andrew Lovett is currently Director of Corporate Resources and Deputy Chief Executive at the Baltic Art Gallery in Gateshead and will take up the post, which has been held by Ian N. Walden O.B.E. for the past 33 years, on August 1st 2009.
Mr Lovett was previously General Manager of Steam, the Great Western Railway Museum in Swindon, and Head of Visitor Services for York Museum and has worked for the Lake District National Park.
John Hughes, Museum Chairman said: “We are delighted to have been able to attract such a high calibre of applicants. Selecting the right candidate is probably the most difficult job the board has had to do in the last 30 years. I’m sure Mr Lovett will do an excellent job of securing the future development of the West Midlands leading museum and visitor attraction.”
Ian Walden, Director and Chief Executive of the Black Country Living Museum said: “I am delighted Andrew Lovett is able to take up the post after I leave at the end of July. This will ensure continuity within all of the Museum’s exciting developments. I’m sure Andrew Lovett will take the Museum, the Black Country region and its people into his heart, as I have done over the past 33 years.”
Job Vacancies
The Black Country Living Museum is looking to develop its retail
operations and merchandising potential to a higher level.
We seek an experienced retail manager who has a genuine interest in
heritage to run the Museum’s busy retail outlets serving 300,000 visitors
per year.
More details can be found here
