Beamish, The Living Museum of the North opened its 1950’s terrace with a week of celebrations this February Half Term!

Officially opening on Saturday the 19th of February, Front Street terrace includes John’s Cafe, Middleton’s Quality Fish and Chips, Elizabeth’s Hairdresser’s alongside a recreation of the 1950’s home of artist North East Norman Cornish.

Visitors can enjoy tasty ice cream and fish and chips, get a 1950’s hairstyle or turn their hand to sketching whilst discovering more about Norman and the Spennymoor Settlement.

Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s Chief Executive, said:

“We are so excited and proud to open the 1950s terrace and are really looking forward to welcoming visitors to the newest area of the museum. The opening of John’s Café, Middleton’s chip shop, Norman Cornish’s home and Elizabeth’s hairdressers are major steps in our Remaking Beamish project and are an integral part of our emerging 1950s Town.

“We are immensely proud of the work that we do with our communities across the region and it has been very special meeting with and listening to the people who have helped to shape the spaces and stories that we will tell within the new terrace. Seeing the families and friends of those who lived and worked in the original spaces has been an emotive and very special time. We couldn’t have created these new exhibits at Beamish without them, and without the ongoing support from our funders and partners, to whom we extend our heartfelt thanks.”

Celebrations over the half-term period will run up to Sunday the 27th of February with visitors able to discover the new exhibits and enjoy activities such as 1950’s games and a Sketch and Seek Trail around the museum inspired by Norman Cornish.

Live Music Activities include:

Saturday the 26th of February:

• Beamish Volunteer Choir will perform at the welfare hall at 1pm and 2pm
• The Dead Skunks Skiffle Band will perform at the welfare hall from 10am to 12.30pm

Sunday the 27th of February:

• Dance along with Beamish’s own skiffle band in the welfare hall from 12pm to 3pm

  

Speaking before the opening, Ivor Crowther, Head of Investment, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“It is fantastic news that thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, that Beamish’s 1950s terrace is opening for February Half Term. This important milestone in the Remaking Beamish project means that visitors from far and wide can learn more about the North East’s rich heritage, while also giving them the chance to step back in time and see what life was like in the 50s. We know that heritage can play a huge role in bringing people together, and this work at Beamish is a fantastic example of just that.”

All visitors need to pre-book an entry timeslot to enter the museum and are available to book online on the Beamish website.