Birmingham's Museum Collection Centre, a vast warehouse in Nechells holding 800,000 items, will open to the public for a single Saturday in September as part of Birmingham Heritage Week. The open day takes place on Saturday, September 12, with time slots from 10am to 4pm.
The centre, normally closed to the public except for Wednesday lunchtimes, spans 12,000 square metres across 26 bays, each five storeys high. Visitors will have the rare chance to explore this 'Aladdin's Cave' of artefacts, which includes classic cars, motorbikes, the world's oldest 'garden locomotive', taxidermy, retro toys, and clothing.
What's Inside the Collection Centre
According to a spokesman for Birmingham Museums, over 80 per cent of the City's collection is held under one roof at the centre. The spokesman said: "Join us for a fun-filled day at Birmingham Museums' Museum Collection Centre, where over 80 per cent of the City's collection are all held under one roof."
"Come and take part in a day of family-friendly activities, where we will be celebrating Birmingham's history in our artefact-packed warehouse. Explore a contrasting mix of objects, many of which offer a real insight into life in Birmingham and the West Midlands over the centuries. Amongst the objects you will see steam engines, sculptures, giant spider crabs, even the kitchen sink. If you are interested in something, you'll find it at the Museum Collection Centre."
Tickets and Activities
Tickets usually cost £8 but are available for £6 for adults, £3 for children, and £4.50 for concessions. The event will include guided talks, meetings with conservation and curatorial teams, unboxing hidden objects, and opportunities to photograph the collection.
A cafe will serve drinks and snacks, and a free vintage bus service, courtesy of Aldridge Transport Museum, will run all day, bringing guests to and from Birmingham centre and the Museum Collection Centre. The address is Museum Collection Centre, 25 Dollman Street, Nechells, B7 4RQ.
