Science Museum Newhall Street

[mbenne]

In later life I worked on several major IT projects in offices close to the museum. When I became stressed I used my lunch break to walk around the museum. Looking at all the complex exhibits made years before my time made me wonder how many problems the inventors and developers must have encountered. Made my problems seem insignificant and I always came out feeling inspired!
Until I started looking into family history I never realised that a lot of my dads family had lived and worked in close proximity to the museum and ended up in Warstone close by!

 

[Williamstreeter]

That entrance used to sit over the top of the canal

Me and a couple of mates would always find our way here and the museum and art gallery during the holidays from school

 

[sospiri]

It's a long long time ago now, autumn 1953 in fact, but my first job on leaving school was working for Birmingham City Transport's Cashier's Office in the Council House extension in Congreve Street, opposite the recently discussed White Horse pub. We also had a Sports & Social Club and a Stationery Office in the Elkington's building and I found the Science Museum fascinating. I'd only been at BCT a week or so when I was told that I was that I would be spending a whole week in the Stationery Office. "Don't worry, everyone does it, and by the time your week is finished, you will know how to wrap a parcel of any shape or size", I was told.

I certainly did as every garage, office & department's stationery order was different every week. I certainly acquired a skill that was very useful at Christmas, enjoyed numerous visits to the Science Museum, and improved my snooker skills at lunchtime in the Social Club. The photographs above look vaguely familiar, but it was 65 years ago and I left Brum entirely in 1961. Sorry to see it has gone though.

Maurice

 

[Vivienne14]

Who's having the most fun ? The kids or adults ? Viv.

 

[Williamstreeter]

Who's having the most fun ? The kids or adults ? Viv.

View attachment 123973

We bought our eldest son a Hornby train set for Christmas , namely the Intercity 125 back in the 70's he must have been about 8 . Imagine Christmas Eve yours truly well oiled after the pub , of course I had to assemble and test it , it was brilliant after getting it going forward with the trains headlights on I had to reverse it see if the rear lights worked . Of course they did , if it hadn't been for the good lady telling me about what time it was , I'd still be there playing with it . Just had a thought , do you know I might buy myself one this week >

 

[A Sparks]

Ah, the old Science Museum, I used to go in with my Dad him being in engineering he used to look at all the old machines - I wasn't so interested at the time, I'm sure I would appreciate it all better now!

 

[mw0njm.]

Ah, the old Science Museum, I used to go in with my Dad him being in engineering he used to look at all the old machines - I wasn't so interested at the time, I'm sure I would appreciate it all better now!

. never liked the art gallery. but loved the science Museum.
it was interesting.i loved he steam weekend, when the machines were running. ...and the telephone system.

 

[john knight]

Playing the machine at droughts.

 

[Williamstreeter]

. never liked the art gallery. but loved the science Museum.
it was interesting.i loved he steam weekend, when the machines were running. ...and the telephone system.

I loved to see that locomotive they had there that was converted to electric for demo purposes , a little box of tricks slightly bigger than a mobile plugged into the track and away it went . About a metre forward then reversed back to its starting position .

 

[boomy]

. never liked the art gallery. but loved the science Museum.
it was interesting.i loved he steam weekend, when the machines were running. ...and the telephone system.

Attached are some of the pictures I took many moons ago at one of the Steam Weekends organised by the Museum of Science & Industry in Newhall Street. You will get nothing like this organised by Millennium Pointless, and even if they did, our crazy council would slap a huge Pollution Charge on them! There is nothing to compare with steam powered machinery; the smell of hot oil and smoke, the hissing of steam, the gentle thud of pistons and valve gear, and the heat coming off the boilers - magic!
Boomy

 

[mw0njm.]

Attached are some of the pictures I took many moons ago at one of the Steam Weekends organised by the Museum of Science & Industry in Newhall Street. You will get nothing like this organised by Millennium Pointless, and even if they did, our crazy council would slap a huge Pollution Charge on them! There is nothing to compare with steam powered machinery; the smell of hot oil and smoke, the hissing of steam, the gentle thud of pistons and valve gear, and the heat coming off the boilers - magic!
Boomy

i was fasinated with them steam engines.inside. the museum.

 

[Radiorails]

There is the threat of the 'pollution charge' being levied on historic vehicles. This, apparently will affect the two transport museums in the West Midlands i.e. Wythall Transport Museum and the one at Aldridge (Aston Transport Museum).
There is at petition to the council about this. It would be a pity if these events were curtailed, after all they are not something that occur on a daily basis. If steam trains can run in the city then that should not preclude steam road vehicles

Transport Museum Wythall

www.wythall.org.uk

 

[boomy]

Fantastic photos, I loved the steam weekends at the museum. I did managed to get a ride on the Foden steam waggon one year.

Some more pictures from Newhall Street, including a Foden steam waggon, but this was only a little 'un!
Boomy

 

[ellbrown]

Newhall Square 2019. On Newhall Street, The Whitmore Collection under construction next to the old Elkington Electroplating Works.

 

[Jonob]

Newhall Square 2019. On Newhall Street, The Whitmore Collection under construction next to the old Elkington Electroplating Works.






Can Viv merge this thread with this one?

Science Museum,Newhall street.

Pretty sure Elkingtons closed in 1965. Len.

birminghamhistory.co.uk

Perhaps under the title "Birmingham Museum of Science & Industry".

Congrats on getting one of your photo's published in last Thursdays Birmingham Mail, lovely picture, John.

 

[BrummyPaul]

I remember the old Museum of Science and Industry in Newhall Street very well indeed. I spent many a Sunday there with my dad during the 1960's. It was wonderful. It is no exaggeration to say it proved to be a really important formative part of my life and contributed hugely to my education and in shaping my future interests and engagement. My dad educated me in a fun and interactive way and we bonded massively in those halls. During the 70's through my teens, I still visited, usually alone, moving slowly through the exhibits and remembering. Those old rooms and halls were certainly atmospheric and the room connections were a little cobbled together but, along with the smell of musty oil and machinery, it added to the adventure. And importantly, it was free (I think)!
I have since taken our grandchildren to Think Tank many times. We have had great times there without doubt. Much of it, apart from those exhibits saved from the Newhall Street museum, is aimed at very young children. This is a good thing. But it's modern architecture and open plan makes it very noisy and completely devoid of any atmosphere whatsoever. And it's very expensive indeed!

 

[mikejee]

From post in Old Science museum thread:

From 1951 to 1997 the Museum of Science & Industry was open to the public in Newhall Street. Artefacts and entire collections relating to the history and development of science and technology and to local industry were acquired. The exhibits range from a mainline locomotive to the smallest size of mapping pen nib and from machines to be found in the home to specialised scientific instruments. The collections have been given designated status because of their national importance, particularly machine tools and production machinery. Many artefacts were received with sample products and documentation, which provide an excellent resource for interpreting our manufacturing heritage.
From 2001 a number of important objects have been displayed at Thinktank, Birmingham’s Science Museum. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery later established the Museum Collections Centre to provide access to the stored collections and a resource for research and learning. Along with Archive and Reference Library, the collections are available for research by appointment.

 

[Richard Dye]

Some more pictures from Newhall Street, including a Foden steam waggon, but this was only a little 'un!
Boomy

Really super photos!

 

[Johnson044]

This lovely museum was a source of delight and inspiration to many, many people. The prize exhibit was 46235 “City of Birmingham” which arrived straight from a cosmetic overhaul at Crewe in 1964 and, hence, is one of the few (if not the only) surviving steam locomotives in authentic paint. The poor thing was pushed and pulled hydraulically backwards and forwards, half-hourly, I think (this always seemed to me a rather cheap and un-dignified trick) and sat in a purpose-built hall along with “Leonard” a 2’ Kerr-Stuart 0-4-2ST and “Lorna Doone” a Bagnall 0-4-0ST of similar gauge. There was also “Secundus”, one of only two locomotives built in the city, a venerable 0-6-0WT with Gooch valve gear. I recently met this old friend again in the goods shed at Corfe Castle station on the Swanage Railway, close to where Secundus spent most of her (or his?) working life- quite an emotional re-union. There was also, amongst other locally-made exhibits, a circular button-making machine- perhaps the most complicated mechanical device I’ve ever come across. This wonderful device of oiled brown metal would be set into chattering and spider-like motion at the push of a button and was absolutely fascinating to watch. Indeed, much of the museum would often be a blur of movement, especially on the regular steaming days. A large model of a colonial railway carriage with the roof hinged up so that you could appreciate the lavish interior springs to mind also- this was next to a display of radios (you could listen to the same piece of music from each in turn by selecting buttons) and I hear the tune in my mind still. A diorama that I remember, still, with a degree of awe was that of an alchemist in his workshop, long straggly white hair and staring into the glass phial of who knows what in his hand- an absolutely haunted and terrifying figure that put me in mind of “Adam Eterno” (anyone else remember him?) the ragged time traveller from the comic “Lion”. A locally made Japanese suit of armour made a similar impression on me. Some of the exhibits made it to “Think Tank”, which is, I’m afraid, very much a shadow of the old museum and I found it desperately disappointing when I took my children there.

 

[Spargone]

The prize exhibit was 46235 “City of Birmingham” which arrived straight from a cosmetic overhaul at Crewe in 1964 and, hence, is one of the few (if not the only) surviving steam locomotives in authentic paint. The poor thing was pushed and pulled hydraulically backwards and forwards, half-hourly, I think.

A locally made Japanese suit of armour made a similar impression on me.

I remember City of Birmingham sitting outside, all sheeted over, in 1969, before the new hall was built around it. Wasn't it pulled along by a steel cable? I don't know what was used to power it.

There used to be a leather Japanese suit of armour at the bottom of the stairs in the Museum and Art Gallery. I think there was a large geode with purple crystals inside in a cabinet near by. A very long time since I visited though!

 

[farmerdave]

There was also “Secundus”, one of only two locomotives built in the city, a venerable 0-6-0WT with Gooch valve gear. I recently met this old friend again in the goods shed at Corfe Castle station on the Swanage Railway, close to where Secundus spent most of her (or his?) working life- quite an emotional re-union.

Hi Johnson044. Great post. If you do a search on Secundus (not defining that it be in title of a thread) then the third selected thread "steam locos" will show a picture of Secundus together with some of its history. Dave.

 

[Johnson044]

I remember City of Birmingham sitting outside, all sheeted over, in 1969, before the new hall was built around it. Wasn't it pulled along by a steel cable? I don't know what was used to power it.

There used to be a leather Japanese suit of armour at the bottom of the stairs in the Museum and Art Gallery. I think there was a large geode with purple crystals inside in a cabinet near by. A very long time since I visited though!

Yes- I remember the geode- and also the Pinto Collection of wooden objects- as well, of course, as the T rex! all now long gone, I think.

 

[Johnson044]

Hi Johnson044. Great post. If you do a search on Secundus (not defining that it be in title of a thread) then the third selected thread "steam locos" will show a picture of Secundus together with some of its history. Dave.

Thanks Dave- I'll have a look.

 

[jmadone]

Yes- I remember the geode- and also the Pinto Collection of wooden objects- as well, of course, as the T rex! all now long gone, I think.

I too remember the geode but I have the feeling that it was in the Art Gallery

 

[Williamstreeter]

This lovely museum was a source of delight and inspiration to many, many people. The prize exhibit was 46235 “City of Birmingham” which arrived straight from a cosmetic overhaul at Crewe in 1964 and, hence, is one of the few (if not the only) surviving steam locomotives in authentic paint. The poor thing was pushed and pulled hydraulically backwards and forwards, half-hourly, I think (this always seemed to me a rather cheap and un-dignified trick) and sat in a purpose-built hall along with “Leonard” a 2’ Kerr-Stuart 0-4-2ST and “Lorna Doone” a Bagnall 0-4-0ST of similar gauge. There was also “Secundus”, one of only two locomotives built in the city, a venerable 0-6-0WT with Gooch valve gear. I recently met this old friend again in the goods shed at Corfe Castle station on the Swanage Railway, close to where Secundus spent most of her (or his?) working life- quite an emotional re-union. There was also, amongst other locally-made exhibits, a circular button-making machine- perhaps the most complicated mechanical device I’ve ever come across. This wonderful device of oiled brown metal would be set into chattering and spider-like motion at the push of a button and was absolutely fascinating to watch. Indeed, much of the museum would often be a blur of movement, especially on the regular steaming days. A large model of a colonial railway carriage with the roof hinged up so that you could appreciate the lavish interior springs to mind also- this was next to a display of radios (you could listen to the same piece of music from each in turn by selecting buttons) and I hear the tune in my mind still. A diorama that I remember, still, with a degree of awe was that of an alchemist in his workshop, long straggly white hair and staring into the glass phial of who knows what in his hand- an absolutely haunted and terrifying figure that put me in mind of “Adam Eterno” (anyone else remember him?) the ragged time traveller from the comic “Lion”. A locally made Japanese suit of armour made a similar impression on me. Some of the exhibits made it to “Think Tank”, which is, I’m afraid, very much a shadow of the old museum and I found it desperately disappointing when I took my children there.

Johnson 044 A loco was the highlight of a visit to the Science Museum when I was young way back in the 60's , the train I saw though was before 64 . I started work in 64 and I'm sure I never visited after starting work . We used to do the tour of the museum and end up at the train .

 

[Johnson044]

Williamstreeter- I wonder which loco that was in the early 60's? Before my time. I think I can just remember City of Birmingham's arrival at the museum- it's just possible that my parents took me into town to see- but we'd only just moved to the city and I was six. I think my comment on the way it was moved backwards and forwards was probably wrong- a steel cable much more likely. I only knew the city for seven years but they were my formative years and the city got into my very soul. I visited the museum so frequently and loved it very dearly. Having seemingly gone through hyperspace from early teens to advancing middle age I now find myself thinking of early 1970's Brum very often- and the museums- and in particular of the Museum of Science and Industry- and it leaves me with a desolate and overwhelming sense of loss to think of the museum's destruction and the dispersal of all the wonderful exhibits. I would give so much to be able to enter the museum again.

 

[RobT]

City of Birmingham arrived at the science Museum in 1964, and moved to Thinktank in 2000

 

[Johnson044]

Ah- thank you, RobT- my memory is playing tricks! The loco arrived much earlier than I thought. I just have something dancing on the edge of my memory that there was some major publicity about the loco around the time we moved to the city and I thought it must be connected with its arrival- but I was only six, as I say. I must try to be scientific in my research!

 

[Radiorails]

I expect the following has already been posted:

46235 City of Birmingham (LMS 6235 & BR 46235)

6235 was originally built in 1939 at Crewe, and entered LMS stock in July 1939. As built it was streamlined and was the first to be fitted with a double chimney (previous locomotives being built wi…

preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com

It has has four different liveries in its life, so it is not the original. The one it has currently was the last BR version. It looked much nicer in LMS Crimson Lake and when it had its original streamlining I believe, but I doubt few of us will have seen it that way.

 

[Johnson044]

I agree, although as you say, way before time for most of us- still, we have Duchess of Hamilton- and C of B's paint is authentic and pre-preservation.