Global Beamish

June 27th 2022

At Beamish we’re exploring and highlighting a more diverse history of the North East – one in which everybody’s story is welcomed and valued.

We want to celebrate and share the experiences of people whose lives, loves, backgrounds and experiences of the world differ but who are all part of this region.

In collaboration with Durham University, we have created an exhibition called Global Beamish to explore the story of the people and goods who contributed to the making of the North East. It aims to challenge understandings of the people of Georgian Britain, highlighting different stories and experiences.

These stories are based on the lives of real people who lived in the area over 200 years ago. Items from the museum’s collection have been placed into Georgian trunks and visitors and members of the public are tasked with guessing who the person is and what their story might be, based on the objects in each trunk.

Although it may feel like the distant past, you might discover a thread of yourself, a friend, or a loved one tucked away among these trunks!

We don’t want to give too much away but characters range from a woman with a role considered unusual at the time, a political activist and a house servant.

Be sure to keep an eye out for activities which explore diverse stories at the museum, and we will be taking the Global Beamish exhibition to various North East locations.

We visited Blackhall Community Centre as part of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month Celebration Roadshow on 23rd June, and will be visiting Grainger Market in Newcastle on 2nd July, South Shields Market on 9th July and Middlesbrough Mela on 13th and 14th August.

Beamish attended the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month Celebration Roadshow on 23rd June and spoke to visitors about upcoming projects.

We are working with a number of partner organisations, including TIN Arts, Curious Arts and Karbon Homes, to explore how we tell these stories within the museum. Beamish is also working with Durham University which, through funding received from the Research Impact Fund, has employed PhD student Rheba Macha to research and share these stories.

If you’d like to share your story, you can chat to a member of staff at the museum or visit one of the exhibitions. You can also email: museum@beamish.org.uk. We would love to hear your stories!