A few days ago, I went to the Black Country Museum (‘Black Country’ is defined here) which is essentially a heritage park full of buildings from the Victorian era and the early 1900s. These buildings were originally from around Birmingham and have been saved from demolishment, rebuilt brick for brick and preserved as a little bit of history.
As a school kid, I’ve been on a lot of school trips here…but this time, I went back with some friends and armed with a camera, I was able to capture some snaps!
The actual museum is constantly expanding, with the local heritage trust gaining new buildings all the time and they’re currently rebuilding a 1930’s high street from the local area. There are also actors aplenty who wander around or sitting in the houses, but it’s weird wondering whether to respond to them in the present day…or whether you should pretend to be Victorian too!
Cardi (Oasis) Dress (Mina UK) Belt (Vintage) Shoes (Converse) Bag (Marc by Marc Jacobs)
I took a crazy amount of photos, far too many to share on here but here are my favourites.
Now it wouldn’t be right if I hadn’t chosen to sit next to the painted picture of a narrow boat with ‘Diamond’ on it.
For readers abroad, this is a narrow boat which used to be used when waterways (canals) were essentially the roads of Britain. In the present day, some people still live on them but canals are not really used anymore.
We visited the old Victorian School which featured rows of desks, chalk and slate and if you were old enough to use them, inkwells! I remember being at primary school and having inkwells at school, unfortunately they were the places to store erasers and pencil sharpenings and not filled with ink. I’ve never taken part inEaster Egg Rolling before…shame we missed it! Sounds like fun!
My favourite photos of the day were of the old, Victorian fairground.
‘Bostin’ is Black Country Slang for ‘Cool’. I didn’t know this word until I came across a particularly Brummie housemate at uni.
The Amazing Helter Skelter.
We all handed over 20p and hoped we got a good fortune from the creepy fortune teller. It reminds me of old 80s film, ‘Big’ starring Tom Hanks. Anyone remember that film?
My fortune was creepy too. Mainly because according to friends, this is true…apart from the whole strange bald comment. However, unbeknown to them, going bald is a minor fear of mine. Ahaha, which makes this super scary!!
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