Beamish the Living Museum of the North

Known worldwide for bringing the history of Northeast England to life, Beamish has captured the hearts of many. From their immersive historical attractions, to their lively community projects, it is no surprise Beamish is known as ‘the living museum of the North,’ as it truly does bring the past to life, and brings people together. ??

Today, Beamish is one of the biggest open air museums in the world, yet the vision began with Dr Frank Atkinson, who would go on to become Beamish’s founder, and very first director. He had visited Scandinavian folk museums in the early 1950s and was inspired to create an open air museum for the Northeast. At the same time, Atkinson realised the dramatically changing region was losing its industrial heritage. Coal mining, ship building, and iron and steel manufacturing were disappearing, along with the communities that served them.

?To honour the heritage of the Northeast, Frank wanted the new museum to “illustrate vividly” the way of life of “ordinary people” and bring the region’s history alive. Beamish remains true to Atkinson’s principles to this very day and brings history to life for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

It was in 1958 that Frank Atkinson, then director at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, presented a report to Durham County Council, recommending that items of everyday history were collected to eventually form part of an open air museum. A policy of “unselective collecting” – “you offer it, and we will collect it”- saw an army camp of 22 huts rapidly filled with objects ranging from steam engines to sewing machines.

Then, in 1970, Frank took up his post as director, along with the first staff, at Beamish Hall and the museum was born. And to this very day Beamish is thriving more than ever as it upholds and honours the guiding principles established at the birth of the museum.

Beamish always put their visitors first in everything they do, which can really be felt in the attractions on show, from their presentation and production. Everything, down the last detail at Beamish, is a true labour of love. A testament to this is the way in which all Beamish staff are dressed in historical attire and become characters of the past. ?

Furthermore, Beamish is passionate about creating genuine community engagement. From enabling participation in the making of the museum, to the activities and stories that they tell, Beamish is always creating meaningful and diverse connections with visitors and communities.

Believing it to be their ethical responsibility to invest in the future, now and for generations to come, Beamish wish to create a self-reliant and sustainable museum. Reducing their carbon footprint by minimising waste and energy consumption, generating renewable electricity, and improving heating systems across the site, Beamish are constantly striving to protect and preserve, whether it be our own history, or the wellbeing of the natural world around us.

Currently, Beamish features exhibit from the 1820s, right up to the new addition of their 1950’s town. Each and every exhibit at Beamish allows visitors to step into the past and brings the local heritage to life.

Within the museum’s 1820’s Pockerley town, the Quilter’s Cottage can be found, a recreation of the “lost” home of renowned Georgian quilter, Joseph Hedley, who was murdered in 1826. The cottage features stones from Headley’s original home, including the very flagstones where he stood 200 years ago. These remains of Headley’s cottage were found in Warden, near Hexham, Northumberland. They were uncovered during an archaeological dig by Beamish staff and community members.

The exhibit, which tells the story of quilting and the growth of cottage industries in the early 1800s, painstakingly recreated by skilled museum staff. The Quilter’s Cottage was the first building to open as a part of the Remaking Beamish project.

With money raised by National Lottery players, this project was awarded ￡11.8 million by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, a major milestone in Beamish’s history and the largest investment ever seen at the museum.

The exhibits in the 1950s Town are the culmination of the Remaking Beamish project. They follow the recent opening of the Georgian Drovers Tavern and pottery, and the museum will also be opening two Georgian-themed self-catering cottages this year, where visitors will be able to stay overnight for the first time.

Beamish strives to provide everyone, regardless of age, health needs and abilities, with opportunities to enjoy the museum, take part in traditional activities, learn new skills and improve self-confidence. Working with a range of organisations across the region, such as the NHS, adult mental health teams, occupational therapists, as well Alzheimer’s Society and community support groups.

Clover Cottage, located in the 1950s Town, is an ideal space to organise activities for groups of older people, people living with dementia or those with learning disabilities. Beamish offers weekly activities ranging from dementia friendly and wellbeing walking groups, to ‘Canny Cuppa’ groups to support those living with dementia, focusing on the use of traditional heritage crafts to learn new skill and gain confidence.

Forever passionate and hoping to expand their knowledge of the historic Northeast, Beamish goes above and beyond to expand the stories of their exhibits, through reaching out to the community. For instance, Remaking Beamish Project Officers met with Ray Malecki, who shared the story of his father’s migration from Poland to the Northeast of England. This story, as well as many others, helped with the development in the new 1950s Town exhibits.

One such exhibit from the 1950’s town includes the recreation of the Grand cinema, from Ryhope, in Sunderland. The replicated Grand cinema was opened by Bill Mather, who was a trainee projectionist at the Grand in the 1950s, and Gary Hepple, who donated the cinema to the museum.

Bill Mather, who went on to have a 53 year career managing and owning cinemas, shared his memories of what the Grand was like in the 1950s: “It has given me an absolute great pleasure to have been able to register my knowledge, from memory, into the foundation and rebuild of what I have termed my ‘Palace of Dreams.’”

Further 1950’s exhibits include a Reece Ltd Radio and Electrical Services and record shop, along with a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) learning space.

Simon Gilroy, Trustee of The Reece Foundation, said: “The trustees of the Reece Foundation are immensely proud to see A Reece Ltd Radio and Electrical Services opening as part of the Remaking Beamish project. This initiative is a fitting tribute to Alan Reece, not merely as a name above a shop, but as a dynamic STEM learning space, inspiring future engineers.”

He goes on to say that “We are confident that young learners and visitors will delight in exploring the 1950s appliances and records, and in participating in activities led by the museum’s Learning Team. The emphasis on enhancing STEM education through this engaging and sustainable development exemplifies our aim to support the long-term prosperity of the Northeast by promoting engineering, manufacturing, and environmental initiatives.”

Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s Chief Executive said that “The Remaking Beamish project overall has involved over 44,000 community members and school children, more than 22,000 people living with dementia and their families and carers taking part in health and wellbeing activities, and over 35,000 hours have been contributed by volunteers.”

?Hiles also notes that “The museum, which welcomed over 800,000 visitors last year, is committed to building on our work with communities and the people of the Northeast, as an anchor cultural institution in the region, working with partners to help highlight the region as a magnificent place to visit, live and work in.”

Northeast Mayor, Kim McGuinness believes that “Beamish embodies everything that is great about the Northeast, as it is steeped in our rich culture and heritage. The opening of the wonderful 1950s Town demonstrates the growing strength of our tourism offerings.”

At its heart, Beamish is a living, working museum that uses its collections to connect with people from all walks of life and tells the story of everyday life in the Northeast of England. The desire to honour the heritage of the Northeast, breathe life into the past, and bring people together through learning and exploration, can be felt in each and every exhibit at Beamish. Their community work, along with their passion for history truly make ‘the living museum of the Northeast’ a veritable treasure trove of unforgettable experiences. ??????

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Written by Katie Wilson, EP Business in Hospitality