About

Join us for a series of local history talks with Maureen Waldron the Community Outreach Officer for Sandwell Archives, monthly on a thursday morning at Wednesbury Museum at 11.30am. Some of these talks run alongside our exhibition 'The Extraordinary, Ordinary' showcasing decorative objects from our collection and by current local artists showing beautiful things made in the borough. 

Talks are free, just turn up! 

Thursday 8 May 11.30am – Homefront in Sandwell - VE Day commemorations
"What did you do in the war Grandad?"   We look at how the people of Sandwell coped during WW11.    Examining entries from school log books, to see how they managed at the beginning of the war, looking at extracts from nursery schools to find out what happened when children were evacuated.   We also look at entries in diaries of local people as well as photos from Sandwell Archives collection.  We find out how people coped with rationing and bombings, yet managed to carry on their daily lives.

Thursday 5 June 11.30am West Bromwich in Old Photos
Take a nostalgic tour around West Bromwich looking at old photos from Sandwell Archives collection

Thursday 3 July 11.30am  – When the Chance Brother came to Smethwick - The extraordinary, ordinary
Chance Brothers Ltd were glass produces based in Smethwick, they were the leaders in the manufacturing of all things glass, including lighthouses.  This talk not only looks at the beginnings of the firm in Smethwick, the different types of glass and glass objects produced, it also looks at some interesting little side stories.  The talk also looks at how the records finally came to be with Sandwell Archives from Pilkington’s the firm who took over Chance Brothers.

Thursday 11 September 11.30am – Challis. The extraordinary, ordinary
Discover the life and work of Henry Challis who painting scenes of Oldbury and Smethwick in the 1800s. You can see some of his work in our exhibition.

Thursday 9 October 11.30am – Workhouse to Hospital
What happened when you were ill before the NHS?  This talk takes you from the workhouse at West Bromwich where it all began, through to present day, looking at healthcare provision and how it developed in Sandwell.

Thursday 13 November 11.30am – Ruskin - The extraordinary, ordinary
Discover our fantastic Ruskin Pottery collection and the fascainting story of the workforce. You can then explore the pottery in our Ruskin gallery