Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is (partially) open again - the visit of 7th May 2022

It has been closed for a long time. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery partially reopened (five galleries) on the 28th April 2022. It closed during the pandemic, briefly reopened October 2020, then again (lockdowns etc). Then re-wiring works. The Round Room has We Are Birmingham, Industrial Gallery has Black history and nightclub history. Also one room on local cinema history.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery reopened on the 28th April 2022. I didn't visit over the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend, but instead popped in a weekend later on Saturday 7th May 2022 (coming back from Cineworld and the Library of Birmingham).

The approach from Centenary Way into Chamberlain Square, at Paradise Birmingham (103 Colmore Row behind). Entrance of course to BM & AG from Chamberlain Square.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG Chamberlain Sq 07052022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

We Are Open. Heading to the double doors of BM & AG, the Chamberlain Square entrance.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG return 07052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The ground floor entrance room is empty, but has 'Welcome to Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham' signs on panels around it. Seen here from the stairs heading down to the Chamberlain Square exit.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG return 07052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG return 07052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The stairs leads up to Level 2. There is a new Directory of what is open now, and what will be in Gas Hall (when it reopens on the 14th May 2022).

Round Room - Don't Settle: We Are Birmingham

1. Shop

2. Industrial Gallery - Birmingham Music Archive: In The Que

Fierce: SaVage K'Lub Va Tamatea

Kalaboration Arts: Blacklash: Racism and the Struggle for Self-Defence

3. Gallery
Flatpack Projects: Wonderland

4. Edwardian Tearooms

8. Bridge Gallery - Collection Stories

10. Gallery
Unprecedented Times

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG return 07052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Round Room - Don't Settle: We Are Birmingham

Sir Jacob Epstein's Lucifer statue is the only original piece to return to the Round Room. The walls have been painted a cream colour, and their is an exhibition on called We Are Birmingham.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG Round Room 07052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

We Are Birmingham: Our Journeys - The Past is Now.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG Round Room 07052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

An image of Selfridges on the right.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG Round Room 07052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

We Are Birmingham: Our City. As well as Cold War Steve's Birmingham collage, their is black & white photos on the wall of Indian families.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG Round Room 07052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

We Are Birmingham: Our Joy. Indian related objects and a bicycle.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG Round Room 07052022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading back into the Round Room from the Bridge Gallery.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG Round Room 07052022 (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

1. Shop

From the Round Room to the Industrial Gallery. Plenty of gifts to buy here.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shop BMAG 07052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The walkway above the Industrial Gallery was open, and found this view through a grill to the shop below (and Round Room beyond that).

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shop BMAG 07052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2. Industrial Gallery: Birmingham Music Archive and Blacklash

There is several exhibitions located in the Industrial Gallery. Coming in from the Round Room, on the left is: 'Birmingham Music Archive: In The Que'. On the right is: 'Fierce: SaVage K'Lub Va Tamatea' and 'Kalaboration Arts: Blacklash: Racism and the Struggle for Self-Defence'.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

You can head up the stairs to the upper level, but there is no objects upstairs, but there is tables to sit down on, study etc. The African exhibits including Blacklash are on the left, while In The Que (nightclubs) is on the right. This view towards the Shop and Round Room.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some of the tables with benches that you can sit on. There used to be Ruskin pottery up here (or it used to be on the side near the stairs). I'm sure it will all be back one day in the future.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view towards Wonderland in Gallery 3. With In The Que (left) and Blacklash (right) below.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham Music Archive: In The Que

The exhibit on the left hand side of the Industrial Gallery is currated by Birmingham Music Archive, and is called 'In the Que'. Que Club posters from the 1990s.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading in, there is a display of magazine articles. Que Here - Lifestyle.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

QUE in big colourful letters, plus some black and white photos from the nighclub.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Kalaboration Arts: Blacklash: Racism and the Struggle for Self-Defence

In the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter movement during 2020. A history of Black protests and marches. Some posters as you head into the Industrial Gallery.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

No Justice No Peace! The visit of Malcolm X to Smethwick in the 1960s. Black People Alliance. Also the Asian Youth Movement in the 1980s.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

African drums and spears. Some objects used at demonstrations. 'No Justice - Just Us!'

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was more posters under the stairs.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Fierce: SaVage K'Lub Va Tamatea

The second Afro themed exhibition. This bit about the Empire Korero on May 25th 1918. Various costumes and something about Good Captain Cook Day.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The entrance to the SaVage K'Lub Va Tamatea seen from above.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The stairs between the SaVage K'Lub Va Tamatea and Blacklash exhibitions.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A quick look at the SaVage K'Lub Va Tamatea exhibition on passing it by.

dndimg alt="Industrial Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IG BMAG 07052022 (13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Gallery 3: Flatpack Projects: Wonderland

Located in the gallery between the Industrial Gallery and the Edwardian Tearoom is a Birmingham Cinema's themed exhibit called Wonderland, run by Flatpack Projects.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wonderland BMAG 07052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Wonderland is Birmingham's Cinema Stories. Sign seen from the Industrial Gallery.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wonderland BMAG 07052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Cinemas closed for months during 2020, briefly reopened in the summer, then closed again, bookended by two lockdowns, and then the tiered restrictions. They only reopened without closing again during Spring 2021 last year.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wonderland BMAG 07052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Cinema related objects in glass cases to the left, and near the Edwardian Tearoom entrance.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wonderland BMAG 07052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Pictures on the wall of Birmingham cinema's including some that have closed a long time ago.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wonderland BMAG 07052022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This section below focuses on The Electric Cinema on Station Street.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wonderland BMAG 07052022 (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Xmas Crackers sign. I remember seeing it on a visit to The Electric, early in 2020 (few months before the first lockdown).

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wonderland BMAG 07052022 (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Three red cinema seats. Was only an hour or so after I'd left Cineworld on Broad Street before I go to this exhibition.

dndimg alt="BM & AG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wonderland BMAG 07052022 (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

4. Edwardian Tearooms

After well over two years, you can now pop into the Edwardian Tearooms again. Buy your food and drink, cash or card is accepted. Plenty of tables like before. Access through Gallery 3 (currently Wonderland) via the large doors on the left (or right).

dndimg alt="Edwardian Tearooms" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ET BMAG 07052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The galleries above are closed, with no objects on display.

dndimg alt="Edwardian Tearooms" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ET BMAG 07052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

8. Bridge Gallery - Collection Stories

You can either head into the Industrial Gallery first, or into the Bridge Gallery. Where they have objects from the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre under the title 'Collection Stories'. Just past through under the 'ART GALLERY EXTENSION AND FEENEY GALLERIS A.D. 1912' sign, and the blue plaque (for Bertha Ryland, unveiled back in 2018 by the Birmingham Civic Society).

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bridge Gallery BMAG 07052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Art on the walls of the Bridge Gallery, some objects in glass cases.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bridge Gallery BMAG 07052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

No entry to the Birmingham History Galleries upstairs, as it's closed, and the objects are still in storage, as the re-wiring works hasn't finished yet.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bridge Gallery BMAG 07052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In front of the stairs, and near the small cafe, is Souvenir 9 (Queen Victoria). Was made in 2019 by Hew Locke, and acquired for the City by the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bridge Gallery BMAG 07052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Gallery 10: Unprecedented Times

Since the Museum & Art Gallery had been closed from 2020, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, various local artists had painted or created the art on display here. Art in response to being on lockdown. During the two lost years of the museum being closed.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gallery 10 BMAG 07052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This small gallery is just beyond the Bridge Gallery to the right, and nothing else beyond here is open at the moment.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gallery 10 BMAG 07052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The red shutter at the end was closed, as BM & AG still has a lot of work to do to re-wire the whole building.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gallery 10 BMAG 07052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The steps to the Gas Hall & Exit was closed also. But I suspect it will reopen on the 14th May 2022, when an exhibit at the Gas Hall called 'Found Cities, Lost Objects, Women in the City' opens.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gallery 10 BMAG 07052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

The Staffordshire Hoard Gallery at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

The Staffordshire Hoard was discovered in a field in Staffordshire in 2009 by a metal detector. It is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork to be found. Likely to have been buried in the 7th century, with pieces made in the 6th and 7th centuries. The hoard was purchased by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Potteries Museum & Art Gallery (Stoke-on-Trent).

Staffordshire Hoard

In July 2009, Terry Herbert using a metal detector, while searching the area, discovered a hoard of Gold artefacts. Over 5 days he discovered over 244 items. He then contacted the authorities. The landowner Fred Johnson gave permission for excavations to take place on his land to find more.

The first Staffordshire Hoard Gallery opened up at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in 2009. When it first opened, there was long queues outside of BM & AG going around Chamberlain Square. The first excavation took place at the field on farmland near Hammerwich, Staffordshire in September 2009 by the Birmingham Archaeology and funded by English Heritage. The gallery at BM & AG opened in October 2009 attracting 40,000 people.

The hoard was first displayed at BM & AG from September to October 2009. Parts of it went on display at other galleries including the British Museum (November 2009 to April 2010).  But items were still being displayed in a temporary gallery at BM & AG until they opened permenant gallery from October 2014 onwards.

2012

I was only able to get two photos of the original Staffordshire Hoard Gallery in November 2012. At the time photos in the gallery were not allowed so only got this cardboard cut out of an Anglo-Saxon warrior.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Nov 2012) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Also of this replica Anglo-Saxon warriors helmet. But was told you couldn't take photos in there, so I moved on. Not that I wanted to take the individual items in there at the time.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Nov 2012) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2014

A new Staffordshire Hoard Gallery opened in October 2014, in the gallery that formerly housed the Ancient Greek and Roman collection (below the Ancient Egypt gallery).

Sign on Great Charles Street Queensway advertising the new gallery.

Unearth the story of the Staffordshire Hoard

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading inside BM & AG, I saw another sign pointing the way to the new Staffordshire Hoard Gallery.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This one welcoming you to the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Also this one on the wall saying that the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery was on Level 2.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another sign telling you that you can get a lift to the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery, which is on Level 2.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I got the rest of the views of the new Staffordshire Hoard Gallery from the Ancient Egypt gallery above. Surrounding the balcony of the gallery is the Frieze of the Mausoleum (it was there long before the Staffordshire Hoard moved in here).

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In the middle was this tall red object, probably representing an Ancient Anglo-Saxon item.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up view of that red rectangle sculpture with gold detailing.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Questions:

Why did they bury it? Who buried the hoard? When did they bury it? Why did they bury it there?

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In this area was Sources and techniques.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The top of another sectioned off area with pieces of the hoard.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Below you can see visitors having a close up look at the Staffordshire Hoard.

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Oct 2014) (12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

In November 2018, a Staffordshire Hoard golden helmet replica was unveiled at BM & AG in the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery. I took this photo in zoom in while BBC Midlands Today was making a piece about it, so didn't stick about for long. The original pieces were too fragile to reassemble into a helmet, so two replicas were made (the other one is at the Potteries Museum in Stoke-on-Trent). It's the kind of thing that the King of Mercia could have worn before the Kingdom of Mercia was conquered. And they could have been hurriedly broken up into pieces and buried, where they remained until they were found in 2009!

dndimg alt="Staffordshire Hoard" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Staffordshire Hoard BMAG (Nov 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks to all my followers.

Pharoah: King of Egypt from the British Museum to the Gas Hall in the summer of 2012

While the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has their own collection of Ancient Egypt artefacts, back in the summer of 2012, there was a touring exhibition from the British Museum called Pharoah: King of Egypt. I saw it in the Gas Hall during August 2012. The ticket at the time was £5 to enter. Lots of Ancient Egypt figures and sculptures to see. Over 130 objects from London.

I like seeing Ancient Egypt sculptures / heads / sarcophagus's in museums, and the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery had a touring exhibition at the Gas Hall from the 14th July to the 14th October 2012 called Pharoah: King of Egypt (the original webpage is now deleted but is archived at the Wayback Machine).

Pharaoh: King of Egypt is a national touring exhibition from the British Museum which explores the lives of the ancient kings of Egypt.  

Over 130 British Museum objects, which have never been seen out of London before, feature in this exhibition – from monumental sculptures to intimate items of gold jewellery. 

Displayed alongside a selection of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s own Egyptian collection, this exhibition is incredibly diverse, spanning over 3,000 years of history. 

The exhibition will give visitors of all ages the chance to explore the myths and realities of kingship in ancient Egypt.

The tickets at the time was: Adults: £5, Concession (students, senior citizens, children aged 3 to 16): £4 and Family: £15.

My visit was on the 17th August 2012.

One of the information signs about Pharaoh King of Egypt as you go in.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Goddess Sekhmet

Made of Granite. Originally in Karnak, Thebes, Egypt. 1390 - 1352 BC.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Pharoah Ramses II

This is part of a granite statue of Pharoah Ramses II. 1279 - 1213 BC. Originally from Temple of Khnum, Elephantine, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Ra-Horakhty

This is Ra-Horakhty. Granite statue of the god. 1279 - 1213 BC. Tell el-Maskhuta, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Pharoah Amenemhat IV

A sphinx of Pharoah Amenemhat IV. 1808 - 1799 BC. Beirut, Lebanon. 

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Temple Inscription

It originally bore the name of Pharoah Senusret III, but 600 years later the royal titles of Pharoah Ramses II (1279 - 1213 BC). Originally dated 1874 - 1855 BC. Bubastis, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Stela of Tjetji

Two tablets - Stela of Tjetji. Limestone - 2125 - 2055 BC. Thebes, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is the upper tablet.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is the lower tablet.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (24).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Pharoah Ramses IX

Limestone ostracon with Pharoah Ramses IX on it. 1126 - 1108 BC. Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Granodiorite stone statue of Senenmut

This is a Granodiorite stone statue of Senenmut. 1479 - 1472 BC. Karnak, Thebes, Egypt. She is holding Princess Neferura only daughter of Pharoah Tuthmosis II and Hatshepsut.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Wooden bed

Wooden bed with gold and silver decoration 1126 - 1069 BC. Tomb of the Pharoah Ramses IX. Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Pharoah Ramses I

Statue of Pharoah Ramses I. Tomb guardian statue from the Tomb of the Pharoah Ramses I. Wooden standing figure. 1295 - 1294 BC. Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Death objects

At the top is a Papyrus account of a trial for robbery. At the bottom left is a limestone painted relief fragment. The Faience Shabti figure of Pharoah Seti I is in the middle at the bottom. Shabtis, the wooden royal shabti figure is on the bottom right.  More details below with the close up photos. 

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Limestone painted relief fragment

Dating to about 1294 - 1279 BC. Tomb of Pharoah Seti I, Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Papyrus account of a trial for robbery

It dates to 1186 - 1069 BC, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Shabtis - Faience Shabti figure of Pharoah Seti I

It dates to about 1294 - 1279 BC.  Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Shabtis - Wooden royal shabti figure

This one dates to about 1295 - 1186 BC. Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Coffin of Namenkhetamun

This is a Coffin of Namenkhetamun. Made in Thebes around 600 BC.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (18).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Dress like an Ancient Egyptian

There was clothes on a rack to the left that kids could put on an look like an Ancient Egyptian. Maybe even have their photo taken with this picture on the wall.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (19).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Unfinished statue of a Ptolemaic pharoah

This was an unfinished basalt statue of a Ptolemaic pharoah. 305 - 30 BC. Athribis, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Green schist of Pharoah Mentuhotep VI

This small statue was a Green schist of Pharoah Mentuhotep VI. 1795 - 1650 BC. Karnak, Thebes, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (21).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Inebny

This is a limestone block  of Inebny. 1479 - 1425 BC. Thebes, Egypt.

dndimg alt="Pharoah King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (23).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Head from statue of Pharoah Mentuhotep III

This is a head from statue of Pharoah Mentuhotep III. 2055 - 2004 BC. Temple of Mentuhotep III. Deir el-Bahri, Thebes, Egypt. Sandstone.

dndimg alt="Pharaoh King of Egypt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pharaoh King of Egypt (August 2012) (22).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Now at over 1,110 followers. Thank you.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

A look back on Dippy on Tour in the summer of 2018

Dinosaur bones, or rather recreations in a cast. Dippy from the Natural History Museum in London started going on a tour of UK museums, and was at the Gas Hall, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in the summer of 2018. After my June 2018 visit, it got me to visit Lapworth Museum of Geology at the University of Birmingham for more dinosaur skeletons. Was also a floral style trail around.

Dippy on Tour

Gas Hall, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

26th May to 9th September 2018

Dippy on Tour was a touring exhibition starting in 2018 at the various City museums around the country. It was at BM & AG in the Gas Hall in the dates above.

Dippy had been at the Natural History Museum in London from 1905, until 2017 when it went on a nationwide tour!

I booked my ticket online in advance and went on the 3rd June 2018. Got in earlier than my time and spent about 20 to 30 minutes here. Was plenty of families and kids there at the time. There were other exhibits in here. In this post we will mainly look at Dippy the Diplodocus and other full dinosaur skeletons in Birmingham.

This was my first view of Dippy!

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Gas Hall BMAG (June 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Side view of the skull.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Gas Hall BMAG (June 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The tail from the back of the Gas Hall.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Gas Hall BMAG (June 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another view from the front, from the left side this time.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Gas Hall BMAG (June 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Trying to get Dippy with the height of the ceiling in the Gas Hall.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Gas Hall BMAG (June 2018) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Front view of Dippy's skull.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Gas Hall BMAG (June 2018) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This was from a panoramic of Dippy in the Gas Hall.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Gas Hall BMAG (June 2018) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One more view of Dippy with the Gas Hall ceiling.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Gas Hall BMAG (June 2018) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Before Birmingham, Dippy was at a museum in Dorchester. After Birmingham, Dippy went to: Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne and Cardiff. Dippy is now in Rochdale (but I assume that the museum is closed now due to the lock down / pandemic period we are in). Dippy was next scheduled to go to Norwich.

Co-inciding with Dippy being at the Gas Hall was this Dippy on Tour Floral Trail around the City Centre during the summer of 2018. There was ten topiary dinosaurs to find.

Seen on the High Street outside of Marks & Spencer was this Allosaurus. A few weeks later I saw a full size Allosaurus skeleton at the Lapworth Museum of Geology (see further down the post for the photos). Sponsor was Retail BID Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Allosaurus High St Birmingham (June 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Triceratops seen in Rotunda Square between New Street and High Street. Sponsor was Retail BID Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Rotunda Square Dippy on Tour (June 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On New Street not far from the Apple building and HSBC UK was this T-Rex (and near the Midland Metro line to Grand Central Tram Stop). Retail BID Birmingham was the sponsor.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour New St Bham (June 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Further up New Street was this Stegosaurus opposite Cashino and Pret a Manger. Retail BID Birmingham was the sponsor.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour New St Bham (June 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen in Victoria Square during June 2018 for Dippy on Tour was the star of the shop the Diplodocus. At this time Council workmen were replanting plants around Dippy, so didn't get a clear view of her. Retail BID Birmingham was the sponsor.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Victoria Square (June 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One more indirect view of the Diplodocus in August 2018 when this band was playing in front of her. They were called Inpulse Percussion. At the time groups for the Transplant Games were near the top of Victoria Square. I never did get this one on it's own.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Victoria Square (August 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Back to June 2018 and we are now in the Great Western Arcade for Dippy on Tour. This is the Coelophysis. Retaiil BID Birmingham was the sponsor.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Coelophysis Great Western Arcade (June 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen at the bottom of Corporation Street opposite what was then a Vodafone store on the corner of New Street (opposite HSBC UK) was this Velociraptor. Near the Midland Metro line to Grand Central Tram Stop.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Velociraptor - Corporation St Birmingham (June 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The last outdoors dinosaur was the Brachiosaurus outside of The Mailbox. Retail BID Birmingham was the sponsor.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Brachiosaurus The Mailbox (June 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The last two were a bit harder to find. The second T-Rex was in the childrens toys section on the bottom floor at Selfridges in the Bullring. Thank you to Shopping in Birmingham on Twitter who at the time gave me advice of where to find them. Much appreciated if you are reading this!

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour - T-Rex at Selfridges Birmingham (June 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The last dinosaur I needed to find was inside of John Lewis Birmingham. The second Stegosaurus. This one was a few floors up near the cushions and in an awkward position (near the windows overlooking the escalators) to get a photo of (on my then smartphone camera). Trail complete.

dndimg alt="Dippy on Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy on Tour Stegosaurus John Lewis Birmingham (June 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Lapworth Museum of Geology, University of Birmingham

Just over 2 weeks later after seeing Dippy at the Gas Hall (the middle of June 2018), I headed to the University of Birmingham to see the dinosaur skeletons and bones in the Lapworth Museum of Geology. Located in the red brick Quadrangle, near Ring Road South.

This is a skeleton of a Allosaurus (not a T-Rex as I once thought). There was also rocks and minerals in this museum.

dndimg alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Allosaurus Lapworth Musuem UoB (June 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Full side view of the Allosaurus, towards all the rocks in the collection.

dndimg alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Allosaurus Lapworth Musuem UoB (June 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Zoom in to the skull of the Allosaurus.

dndimg alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Allosaurus Lapworth Musuem UoB (June 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From the other side, there was a first floor area with a balcony view. Not very busy when I visited.

dndimg alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Allosaurus Lapworth Musuem UoB (June 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Allosaurus was standing on this white table with glass walls around it. I'm sure I once saw a T-Rex skeleton at BM & AG back in the 1990s (whatever happened to it). Then again as a child I remember queuing to get into the Gas Hall for a dinosaur exhibition (around the time Jurassic Park first came out, so around 1993, early 1990s).

dndimg alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Allosaurus Lapworth Musuem UoB (June 2018) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The other full dinosaur skeleton at the Lapworth Museum of Geology was this Pteranodon hanging from the ceiling.

dndimg alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pteranodon Lapworth Museum UoB (Jun 2018) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A close up view of the Pteranodon's skull and body.

dndimg alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pteranodon Lapworth Museum UoB (Jun 2018) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

View from the back of the Pteranodon and the Allosaurus.

dndimg alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pteranodon Lapworth Museum UoB (Jun 2018) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Side view of the Pteranodon's skull from the first floor balcony area in the museum. The museum was quite small, I was in and out in about 10 minutes. Once I saw what I wanted to see I left. And I wasn't too interested in the rock samples. There was also skulls in the museums without the bodies.

dndimg alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pteranodon Lapworth Museum UoB (Jun 2018) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Bonus photos to finish off this post. During Summer in Southside in the middle of July 2018. Was this Triceratops on Wheels on Inge Street outside of the Birmingham Hippodrome and not far from The Arcadian. Perhaps inspired by that summers Dippy on Tour (which was still on at the time).

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside Bham Hippodrome Triceratops on Wheels (July 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A close up of the Triceratops skull. Was also another set of bones (not real of course) in a pram to the right.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside Bham Hippodrome Triceratops on Wheels (July 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Now at 1,100 followers. Thank you.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

The exterior buildings of the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

You can see the exterior buildings of the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery from the likes of Chamberlain Square. Also on what was Edmund Street, Margaret Street (Council House Extension) and on Great Charles Street Queensway. Has been many changes since Paradise Birmingham started in about 2015. The Birmingham History Galleries opened in 2012 and that restored part of the gallery.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

For my interior galleries post click here A tour (over the years) of the galleries at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

Construction of the original Art Gallery building along with the Council House started in 1881 and was completed in 1885. The Council House extension began in 1911 and was completed in 1919. The original building was designed by Yeoville Thomason, while Ashley & Newman did the extension. The main entrance to the gallery is in Chamberlain Square, but is also an entrance on what was Edmund Street (which also leads to the Gas Hall). The back entrance on Great Charles Street Queensway used to be in use until before the Parardise Circus roadworks began. But have been closed ever since (even after the roadworks were completed). 

The Birmingham History Galleries were built on the upper floor of the extension galleries between 2011 and 2012. After the concrete bridge to the demolished Birmingham Central Library was itself demolished, the stonework at the corner above Congreve Passage was finally restored.

The link bridge seen from Chamberlain Square during April 2009 looking down Edmund Street towards One Snowhill.  You can walk through it from the Round Room towards the Feeney Galleries. The dates 1885 and 1911 are on the side. 1885 when the original gallery opened, and 1911 when they started to build the extension.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The view from Chamberlain Square from the steps near Birmingham Central Library during April 2009. From this position, it was a bit hard to get the clock tower Big Brum in the same shot. Through the columns and up the steps to the main entrance of the gallery. You then head up the staircase to the Round Room.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is the view down what used to be part of Edmund Street (these days part of Chamberlain Square). Part of the Council House, on this side is the Water Hall (I've never been inside). Also from April 2009, but about a week after the previous photos. I had only started taking photos of Birmingham with my then compact camera.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view of the Big Brum clock tower from Chamberlain Square. With Christmas trees and huts from the Christmas Craft Market that used to open here next to the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market (which was in Victoria Square). The view from November 2009. There is a pair of plaques at the corner of Chamberlain Square and Edmund Street:

Council House Clock
The Clock in this tower indicates Greenwith Mean Time on the first stroke of the hour bell. The minute hand moves forward at the completion of each half minute.

Clock Tower
Erected in 1885 as a Gift by Follett Osler F.R.S. Height from pavement 152 ft 4in, 46.43M. Pendulum is 15ft, 4.57M long and weights 4½ CWT, 228.6kg. Hour bell known as Big Brum weighs 3 tons 6 CWT, 3200kg. 159 steps to Clock face level. Cambridge Chime.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is the view of the Museum & Art Gallery from Great Charles Street Queensway. This view from December 2009. This was during the early evening at sunset. Above the Forward window was sculpted coat of arms. This is the Allegories of Art and Industry by William Bloye and made in 1919 of stone. I used to use this entrance until they closed it in about 2014. Roadworks for the Paradise Circus alterations meant that entrance was closed for a few years. But even when they finished the roadworks here, that entrance remained closed to the public.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another Great Charles Street Queensway view of the Council House extension. The galleries of the Museum & Art Gallery are mostly on the upper floors. This was in February 2010. The corner with Margaret Street. The road has been reconfigured in recent years due to the rebuilding of Paradise Circus.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was during March 2011 and there was scaffolding on the Council House extension. At the time was a Yell advert for Street Wiser. They were building the new Birmingham History Galleries. Which opened in October 2012.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another Chamberlain Square view, this from November 2012. The Christmas Craft Market huts set up once again in the square to the left of the Town Hall. Getting a photo from this view now is not possible until Paradise Birmingham finishes off the square sometime in 2020.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

These three cherry pickers were in Chamberlain Square during May 2016 for the Second Unit filming of the movie Kingsman: The Golden Circle. The crew had a lot of vehicles and equipment in Victoria Square, including the taxi cab that was used for the chase scenes at night around the Colmore Row area. Doubling as London of course. Filming of the movie actually started in Birmingham, before going elsewhere. The film was released in cinemas in September 2017. Ready Player One also filmed in the City in 2016. Come back Hollywood, film more of your big budget movies here!

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was the view from the no 23 National Express West Midlands Platinum bus on Broad Street during March 2018. Two Chamberlain Square hadn't been built yet so you could see the Museum & Art Gallery as well as the Chamberlain Memorial and the Town Hall. They had started to build the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square (near where the bus was), which was completed and opened by December 2019. This view made possible by the demolition of the old Central Library in 2016 and Chamberlain House earlier in 2018.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view of Big Brum and the Museum & Art Gallery taken from Centenary Way during November 2018. One Chamberlain Square to the left was already cladded. Two Chamberlain Square had begun construction and was several floors up.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In October 2019, Paradise Birmingham had reopened this route from Victoria Square into Chamberlain Square. From July to October 2019, the route was blocked off to pedestrians, and you had to walk round the back via Eden Place and Edmund Street to get to the Chamberlain Square entrance (if it was open). They were getting it open in time before the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market returned. During the summer Eden Place was so busy, I've never seen it so busy with people walking around the back. It has now returned to the normal levels that I expect.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Late November 2019, and after picking up my Birmingham We Are calendars, I headed towards Paradise Circus and Great Charles Street Queensway and back to Colmore Row. This is the current state of the back of Paradise Birmingham. One Chamberlain Square is now complete, and PWC moved in January 2020. The side of the Museum & Art Gallery is now restored above the still closed Congreve Passage (could be renamed back to Congreve Street when it reopens in the future). The concrete bridge to the former Central Library (1974-2013) used to be on this side. As was formerly the Paradise Circus tunnel that went towards Paradise Street. Now all gone of course, and looking much better than is used to be.

dndimg alt="BMAG" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMAG exteriors (13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Home of Metal at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery presents Black Sabbath 50 Years - Elliott went to visit

This Black Sabbath exhibition at the Gas Hall in the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery opened on the 26th June 2019, running until 29th September 2019. I finally booked my ticket online and went on the morning of 23rd August 2019. The museum opens at 10:30am on Friday's, so had to wait until they unlocked the doors. Spent around half an hour looking round the exhibition.

My full gallery of photos is now on my Flickr here Home of Metal: Black Sabbath 50 Years. The official website for Home of Metal relating to this exhibition and for booking your ticket online is here Home of Metal: Black Sabbath 50 Years a Major Exhibition.

While the usual route to Chamberlain Square is blocked off due to the Paradise Birmingham works, you can go round the back via Eden Place and Edmund Street. When the doors are open you can go in via the Edmund Street entrance for the Gas Hall. Just show your QR code in the email or PDF, and head through the revolving doors. Ticket was £12 plus £1.57 fee (£13.57 in total).

First thing you would see is this Black Sabbath sign. Take a selfie here. Only a year ago this view would have been on Dippy the dinosaur!

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (1) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Buy your Black Sabbath merchandise from here. T-shirts were £20 when I had a proper look. Was other items such as mugs and coasters. You can also buy Black Sabbath items from the main museum shop.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (2) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later saw this sign in the Black Sabbath merchandise shop area. They invented Heavy Metal. And it led to all other forms of metal music around the world.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (15) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Behind the shop was a collection of Black Sabbath t-shirts that the fans could buy or have bought in the past. "It's the people's music, it always has been" - Bill Ward.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (14) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Harley Davidson motorbike from 2006. Courtesty of Ric Lovett. It has been heavily customised displaying the owner's love of Black Sabbath.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (13) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In the centre was this darkened area. At the back was Ozzy and Tony. Later went back in here to find Geezer and Bill at the other side.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (3) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Back of display cases. This side stars with Ozzy in period photos from the 1970s probably.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (4) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The other end of the back of those display cases. Ozzy Osbourne the main singer, Geezer Butler was the bassist, Tony Iommi on the guitar and Bill Ward on the drums.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (6) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A recreation of Tony Iommi's home recording studio.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (5) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A recreation of the Black Sabbath stage with some of the costumes that they may have worn. They played at venues all over the world.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (7) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One corner had a display about Ozzy Osbourne, as well as a drawing of him! Known the world over as the "Prince of Darkness".

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (8) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A Black Sabbath fans living room, belonging to Stephen Knowles. Quite a collection of Black Sabbath memorabilia here.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (12) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I'd seen photos of this on Social Media. Where are you from? A map of the world. Of course I took off a red sticker and placed it over Birmingham! Fans mostly from the West Midlands and around Europe. Some from the America's, China and Australia / New Zealand as well.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (10) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In the far right hand corner of the Gas Hall was these guitars. Apparently you can try and play them. Was also another selfie spot! Around here showing all the albums that Black Sabbath released.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (9) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The other side of the guitars and world map. This end of the museum is usually for kids to play or draw. Just behind here is kid tables for colouring in Black Sabbath pictures.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Home of Metal Black Sabbath Gas Hall BMAG (11) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

For more posts and a great gallery of photos go HERE.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.