Black Country Living Museum News - January 2006
In the past, '195' and the 'Museum Friends Journal', used to swap news. This contact will now be re-established very shortly. We must not forget we are ambassadors of the 'Black Country Living Museum' so, apart from our own interest, need to know of developments there in our ambassadorial role.
Social history is just as an important part of the overall story of industrialisation as are the nuts and bolts, and in this context the trade unions are of great importance. This year the museum celebrated the Cradley women's Chain makers low-pay strike of the early 1900's with a period procession. Union banners were carried and the “strikers” were dressed in clothes of the time. Local MP's and today's trade union leaders attended.
Lady members of FoP will be enraged to learn that the male chain-makers didn't support their female colleagues. Nevertheless, women, being superior creatures !, soon raised more funds than they needed for their strike and so, in due course, were able to finance the erection of a Cradley Chain makers Institute.
This is an a Arts and Crafts style building. Alas, it didn't last long as an institute becoming a cinema, snooker hall, boxing venue and Post Office sorting office.
Soon, it will be on it's way to the museum, being re-erected by the school. The project should be completed in 2007. This will be a great asset to the museum both visually and functionally.
The trade union parade is planned to become an annual event.
The Black Country Museum has a totally revamped website - http://www.bclm.co.uk/
Last edited:- 06-Aug-2008