We entered the museum via our mooring spot on the towpath which is just behind the pub ...
entry tickets can be obtained from here provided that you pay cash as there is no facility here to use 'cards'
Mags and Geoff coming from church
The shopkeeper in the hardware shop frightened me to death after we'd said hello etc., and passed the time of day and he suddenly started (in a very booming voice) his 'speil', it was interesting though and he was very knowledgeable.
The 'junk' shop
A 'marbled' Victorian Fireplace in the parlour ...
... and a very cosy warm back room.
The Iron Works Chainshop
The Haberdashery - did anyone else wear a liberty bodice? (small garment on right of centre)
old working boats in the dock
School is not over yet
a beautiful cast iron firegrate
The Nail Shop
The rheostats on the wall would be moved round to increase or decrease the electricity supply, depending on demand, but their confidence in the new utility was not yet justified as you can see by the gas lamp below the right hand bulb..........there to light the way, just in case!
A lovely nail picture in the office of the Builders Yard
A Sunbeam 246 cc motorcycle circa 1934 for £48 - a bargain!
The motorbike above would have been built at the Villiers Factory in Upper Villiers Street, Wolverhampton, where coincidentally both George and I worked between 1989-91 for a computer company who purchased the factory.
an early fridge
I could definitely have lived ....
... in this room - it looks so cosy and comfy!
this furniture looks familiar from my parents house - George is in the mirror!
The plaque of the National Federation of Women Workers above the stage in the Cradley Heath Workers Institute
The Tilting House - due to subsidence ...
... cosy inside ... the lady here makes rag rugs both here at the museum and in her own time ...
... she is working this one at the moment - she was saying how difficult it was to obtain the best materials
The Toll House
The Cast Iron Houses - I thought these felt cold and stark ...
... they were erected from these iron 'tiles' ...
... as described here ...
but at least they had running water - from a tap!
The Black Country was renowned throughout the world ...
... for its production of iron and steel goods
Racecourse Colliery
a row of Victorian Shops ...
... and a totally convincing Victorian street with pub and postbox and gas lighting
I am assuming that these four wooden boats below the water at the end of the canal line are there to preserve them but I couldn't find any further information.
I can thoroughly recommend a visit to the Black Country Museum, get there as soon as it opens - you'll need the whole day to see everything. We would also very highly recommend the fish and chips (cooked in beef dripping) from Hobbs and Sons Restaurant - they were delicious! Looking forward to a boat trip tomorrow.
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