Brook Street
The three Brook Street houses were originally built in Sedgley in the early 1850s, they comprise two ‘back-to-back’ cottages and a ‘two up two down’ cottage in one unit.
The period setting for the cottages is 1924 when the occupier of No.11 (the rear cottage), a veteran of World War I, was an employee of the adjacent brass foundry; he is married with an infant child. Their one room living accommodation is cramped, centred around the range and kitchen table, with only a narrow scullery for food storage and washing.
Because of the close proximity of the foundry’s smoking chimneys drying washing outside was difficult so the airing rack over the fire was in constant use.
By comparison the accommodation next door in the ‘through’ house at No.12 is much more spacious and occupied by a married couple whose children have grown up and left home.
By profession the man is an ‘art metal worker’ making this couple financially much better off. The front room, used as a parlour, is tastefully wall papered rather than colour washed like next door. This family’s home boasts the added luxury of a gramophone and upholstered furniture.
The Brook Street properties benefit from the installation of town gas, which was becoming popular in the 1920s, to provide energy for lighting and cooking; notice the cast iron gas cooker in the kitchen.
