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COME AND JOIN US as we celebrate the life, work and legacy of the greatest industrial pioneer of the 18th century – a true gentleman of Birmingham and founder of The Birmingham Assay Office - Mr Matthew Boulton.
A major exhibition to commemorate the bicentenary of Matthew Boulton opens in Birmingham on Saturday May 30th. To mark the opening, activities
will take place in Chamberlain Square in Birmingham City Centre throughout the day.
Matthew Boulton was responsible for the establishment of The Birmingham Assay Office, and of all the enterprises with which Boulton was involved,
The Birmingham Assay Office is the only one that still survives today.
The Birmingham Assay Office is proud of its heritage and will be taking part in the event on 30th May in true 18th century style. Dressed in 18th century
costume, staff from the office will be promoting the range of services the Office provides, and the curator of the Birmingham Assay Office will be leading family
workshops during the day inside the Museum about the History and the importance of Hallmarking.
Familly Attractions Include:
Marshall’s Traction engine ‘Emily’ outside the Gas Hall – Marvel at this magnificent traction engine as she ‘steams up’!
Ann Boulton, Time Traveller – Meet Matthew Boulton’s daughter and follow her exciting adventures, with performer and Storyteller Julie Cooper, 11am, 11.30am and 12 noon in the AV Room, Gas Hall
Dance like Mr Darcy! – Join the ‘Dancing Master’ and try a cotillion, a country-dance, or even a ‘Maggot’, with performers from Nonsuch Historical Dancers. Workshops at 1pm, 2.15pm and 3.15pm in the Industrial Gallery
Family Craft Activity in the Activity Zone 11am till 4pm
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Watch the 60th Rifles Napoleonic soldiers practising drill circa 1809 in Chamberlain Square and discover what life was really like in one of the ‘elite corps’ of Wellington’s army! 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm
Meet Matthew Boulton and his business partner James Watt – Make the acquaintance of these two giants of the Industrial Revolution and get a taste of life in Georgian Birmingham. Mr Boulton and Mr Watt will be greeting their guests at 11am and then on the hour till 3pm in the Gas Hall
Family Hallmarking Trail, with Sally Baggott, Curator, Birmingham Assay Office, in the Explore Galleries 11am till 4pm |
The Exhibition: Matthew Boulton: Selling What All The World Desires opens in the Gas Hall on 30th May, and to coincide with this, and exhibition of coins, medals and tokens, manufactured at Boulton’s Soho Mint, entitled Matthew Boulton and the Art of Making Money opened on May 8th and will run until May 2010. An international conference on Boulton will be held at the University of Birmingham, July 3rd – 5th.
Mr Darcy will be there – so do come along, support the Office and have fun
– IT’S ALL FREE
BIRMINGHAM city centre chamberlain square 11Am – 4PM Saturday 30th may
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