BSA Ladies' Bicycle
Tight controls on cycling were imposed by Birmingham’s Parks Committee from the earliest days of the activity. In the 1870s, before the invention of the ‘safety bicycle’ opened up cycling to women, children, ...
'Bucking Up The Boys', by E. Lawrence Levy
In this book Lawrence Levy wrote a vivid account of the WW1 hospital entertainments provided by his variety troupe the Birmingham Athletic Club, whose Gymnasium was on King Alfred's place (now the site ...
Cannon Hill Park Open-Air Swimming Pool
There were open-air swimming pools at Cannon Hill Park, and at Victoria Park, Small Heath. The pool at Cannon Hill Park was opened at the same time as the park, in September 1873, while the pool at Victoria ...
Children and Adults at the Theatre
This photograph shows an old fashioned theatre at Lichfield Greenhill Bower Fair. The theatre was owned by the Holloway Family.
Children at a street party to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V in Dartmouth Street
Street parties celebrated moments of national significance like royal events, the Boer War or the end of World War 2. At other times the street and public spaces became the focus of popular protest and ...
Children Playing at the Botanical Gardens
Holidays were mainly the preserve of the middle classes in the late nineteenth century – the poor had very little time off and very little spare money to spend. A public park therefore provided a unique ...
Children playing football in Holliday Road, Handsworth by Vanley Burke
This photograph is part of a Digital Handsworth online gallery: Vanley Burke Galleries
Photograph copyright: Vanley Burke
Children taking part in May Day celebrations at Knutsford, Cheshire by Sir Benjamin Stone
Many of the boys are dressed as soldiers or in patriotic outfits. This is probably a reflection of the fact that Britain was fighting in the South African (or Boer) War at the time.
Crescent Bicycles Catalogue, Arthur E. Sayer & Co., Sherlock Street, Birmingham
This catalogue shows that companies were actively marketing bicycles to women by 1900. Inside we find the 'Crescent No 3' Ladies Safety model, which has 'saddle and handle positions arranged to allow ...
Cultural Performance
This is a flyer, dating from the 1960's, promoting Indian Independence celebrations organised by the Birmingham branch of the Indian Workers Association at the Midland Institute.
Many cultural performances ...
Dancing in the Dell at Muntz Park
Regular dances were organised in the Dell at Muntz Park by the Bournbrook Entertainments Committee from 1923 onwards. A disused clay pit, known as the Dell, was laid out for dancing and open-air theatre ...
Drawing of a Church by Jessy Watt
Drawing of Trees by Gregory Watt
Birmingham born Gregory Watt (1777-1804) was the son of the inventor James Watt’s second marriage, to Ann McGregor. Gregory and his younger sister Jessy (1779-1794) were both accomplished child artists ...
Drawing of Trees by Gregory Watt
Faces and Places: Dick Turpin
Dick Turpin and Family
[submitted by Birmingham Stories]
It is often observed amongst archivists that we frequently come across some of our most interesting findings when we are searching for ...
Girl in fancy dress presenting a bouquet to Elizabeth Cadbury at Bournville Children’s Festival
Girls of Gower Street School, Ladywood, carrying maypoles
The street was the focus of community activities and celebrations of national events. Processions marked special days in the calendar such as May Day.
Gwen Lally, Pageant Master
On the 2nd February 1938, the Birmingham Mail announced that Miss Gwen Lally (1882-1963) would direct the Birmingham Pageant to celebrate the centenary of the Charter of Incorporation, to be held in July ...