The
Blists Hill Open Air Museum or the Blists Hill Victorian Town as it is
now called, first opened to the public in 1973. A collection of
buildings, it was never originally designed to be a Victorian Town.
However, this is what it has become after growing steadily in
size
since its inception.
Visitors will see buildings that were part
of the existing industrial site which is now occupied by the museum.
The brickworks are an example of what would have been present here
before the museum was created.
The
rest of the buildings are either adapted by re using the existing
material or from replicating buildings that are or were standing
elsewhere. There are also some buildings that have been relocated such
as the New Inn Public House which was originally in Walsall.
Similar
in some ways to the Black Country Museum near Dudley, the buildings are
manned by staff in period costume which gives a much more realistic
authenticity to the town. The fires are kept burning in houses, sweets
are served in the shops and printshops and workshops are often being
used and in full production as they might have been all those years ago.
The
visitor really does feel that considerable effort has been made to
create the right environment. From banks to steam engines, fairgrounds
to old school houses, this is definately one not to miss.
Within
close proximity of Ironbridge and other museums, the Blists Hill is
operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and effectively creates
the real atmosphere of a Victorian Shropshire town.
At the time
of writing the Blists Hill Victorian Town is experiencing a massive
development which will see a new Visitor Centre, inclined lift and
narrow guage railway. Most of this should be complete by the end of the
summer 2009.
