Older News

Streets Ahead Standard

by BCLM

Spring 2009

Find out all about recent progress and future plans for the museum in the Streetsahead Standard

Download the newsletter in PDF format by following the link below.

Black Country Crier

by BCLM

Spring /Summer 2009

Find out all about this summers events and future plans for the museum in the Black Country Crier.

Download the newsletter in PDF format by following the link below.

100 Year Old Boat Steams Ahead to Birthday Celebrations

by BCLM

President the only preserved steam powered narrowboat on the waterways today, celebrates its 100th birthday on the 2nd May 2009 at the Black Country Living Museum with a party fit for a centenarian, before undertaking a 5-month Birthday Tour of the canals and waterways.

President' was built in 1909 in company dock at Saltley, Birmingham and cost just £600. The company built and operated 31 steam narrow boats between 1889 and 1931. In 1983 President was bought by the Black Country Living Museum and the Friends of President was formed the following year to assist in the operation and maintenance of this unique vessel.

David Powell Chairman of the Friends of President said: “We are very proud that ‘President’ is 100 years old this year. For over a quarter of its life it has been in the care of the Black Country Living Museum, and we hope that it will be around for the next hundred years. President can be seen this year at many locations around the country promoting the Museum and the Inland Waterways. Full details can be found on our website www.nb-president.org.uk.”

Museum Boss to Retire After 33 Years at Helm

by BCLM

After more than 33 years as Museum Director and Chief Executive of the Black Country Living Museum, Ian N. Walden O.B.E has today announced his decision to retire at the end of July, 2009.

Ian joined the Museum on the 1s t O ctober 1 975 and since then has worked tirelessly to develop, what was a piece of waste-ground into an awardwinning visitor attraction with a turnover of £2.4 million per year. He has transformed the Museum from a small venture, attracting 8000 visitors in its first season, into a leading attraction that now employs over 200 local people and attracts more than 270,000 visitors a year.

Ian Walden’s vision has seen the development, brick by brick, of the traditional canalside village with its many shops, houses, workshops, chapel, cinema, public houses, traditional school, canal heritage and underground coal mine. He has been a pioneering force for the Museum’s new £10 Million ‘Streets Ahead’ development which will virtually double the Museum in size.

John Hughes, Chairman of the Black Country Living Museum Trust Ltd said: “Since his appointment as Museum Director in 1975, Ian Walden has led the development of the Black Country Living Museum from a 26 acre derelict site to the recognised historical centre of excellence and leading visitor attraction. We shall all be very sorry to see Ian retire in July and wish him well. The task now is to find a worthy successor to take over leadership of our most successful team at BCLM"

Ian N. Walden said: "I will miss the Museum and all the staff a great deal. It has been a huge part of my life for such a long time but it is now time for me to open a new chapter in my life. I am leaving behind a very capable team who will steer the museum into Phase 2 of the new development programme and what I predict will be a very promising future.”