Beamish Museum has revealed its upcoming additions to its 1950s Town - including the recreation of The Grand cinema in Sunderland and a traditional toy shop.
The popular museum opened its 1950s Front Street to the public in February this year featuring a decadent 1950s café, fish and chip shop, hairdressers, and a recreation of the home of North East artist Norman Cornish. And while it's gone down a storm with visitors, Beamish isn't stopping there and will be welcoming new additions.
As part of the museum's Remaking Beamish project, it is continuing its work on its 1950s Town on the opposite side of Front Street. On this side, it will feature the recreation of The Grand cinema, from Ryhope in Sunderland, A Reece Ltd electrical shop, and Romer Parrish toy shop which is due to be completed by the end of 2023.
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In the electrical shop, visitors will be able to take part in science, technology, engineering and maths activities while at the cinema, visitors will be able to watch films, period newsreels, and adverts. Helen Barker, Assistant Director of Engagement Activity and Collections Access at Beamish Museum, said they are "very excited" to continue work on the museum's 1950s Town.
She said: "We’re very excited to be continuing the work on our 1950s Town as part of our Remaking Beamish project - the opposite side of Front Street will feature the recreation of The Grand cinema, from Ryhope in Sunderland, A Reece Ltd electrical shop and Romer Parrish toy shop.
"The electrical shop will include a showroom and repair shop, where visitors will be able to take part in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) activities, and has been kindly supported by the Reece Foundation. The toy shop was inspired by the popular Romer Parrish shop in Middlesbrough.
"At The Grand cinema, visitors will be able to enjoy the golden age of cinema – we plan to screen films, period newsreels and adverts. This side of Front Street terrace is due to be completed by the end of 2023. In The 1950s Town, we’re also building a pair of police houses, semi-detached social housing, and aged miners’ homes which will provide a space for people living with dementia or other long-term conditions.
"The Remaking Beamish project includes the expansion of our Georgian landscape, including a drovers’ tavern, blacksmith’s, pottery and self-catering accommodation. We also opened 1950s Spain’s Field Farm this spring as part of the project, and Coronation Park and Recreation Ground in May, while the 1950s welfare hall, which opened in 2019.
"Thanks to the money raised by National Lottery players, the Remaking Beamish project was awarded £10.9million by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2016."
Helen said the reaction to the museum's Front Street has been "amazing" so far and they even held a huge 1950s street party outside the terrace each day during the Jubilee Celebrations.
She said: "The first part of our 1950s Front Street opened in February this year featuring Elizabeth’s Hairdresser’s, John’s Café, Middleton’s Quality Fish and Chips, and the recreated home of North East artist Norman Cornish.
"The reaction has been absolutely amazing! The feedback from visitors has been fantastic, people love getting a 1950s hairstyle in Elizabeth’s Hairdresser’s, enjoying the delicious treats from John’s Café and Middleton’s Quality Fish and Chips, and exploring the recreation of Norman Cornish’s Spennymoor home.
"During the Jubilee Celebrations, we had a huge 1950s street party outside the terrace each day – it was great to see everyone joining in the fun. We’ve also had a brilliant response to Spain’s Field Farm, (which is currently open weekends and bank holidays) and Coronation Park and Recreation Ground. The park includes a 1950s-style playground, miniature golf, football area and giant draughts board and is already hugely popular with visitors.
"It’s great to see everyone enjoying our new exhibits and we’re really excited about sharing the next stages of our Remaking Beamish project with visitors."
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