Reviving the High Street: New 1940s and 1960s shops open in the Black Country

National World - LocalTV

Visitors to Dudley's Black Country Living Museum can now explore three newly unveiled high street shops, meticulously recreated to reflect the 1940s and 1960s. These unique exhibits all tell a profound story of community resilience and innovation during the last century.

Transcript

00:00So we're opening the three of our latest shops that are part of our Forging Ahead development

00:05and this development has been about creating a new 40s, 50s and 60s development at the museum.

00:10So lots of different shops and industries that were happening in the Black Country

00:14and really showing what was happening and what was changing in this area during that time period.

00:20Visitors can expect an engaging journey through time at Dudley's Black Country Living Museum.

00:25These new exhibits meticulously recreate shops from the 1940s and 60s, providing authentic experiences.

00:32At the co-op you can browse shelves filled with reproduced post-war packaging and recipes.

00:37Spring Hill Post Office offers a chance to send vintage-style postcards

00:41and discover its diverse stock, ranging from toys to greeting cards.

00:46Meanwhile, Langer's Army and Navy stores invite you to try on replica military wear

00:51and learn about life of a former German prisoner of war who made his mark in Stourbridge.

00:58Well, that's everything that we do.

01:00Everything we try to do is about letting people kind of step back in time and step into it

01:05and kind of immerse themselves in what it was like to live then

01:08because I think it's really a lot easier for people to understand what life was like.

01:12It's much easier to relate to and we try to kind of let our visitors experience what they would have done.

01:18The public's response so far has been overwhelmingly positive,

01:22highlighting the community's connection to these iconic establishments.

01:27So it's been amazing since we've been opening our new developments and showcasing the 40s, 50s and 60s.

01:32It's been incredible to see people interact with them.

01:36It's been really wonderful to see kind of the intergenerational.

01:39So, for example, in Langer's Army and Navy store we worked with the son of Herbert Langer who established the business.

01:46So we know exactly what it was like and we know the exact stories

01:50and our visitors really appreciate that authenticity,

01:53knowing that we're telling the real lives and real stories of the people who actually lived and worked in the buildings.

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