THE North-East’s open-air heritage museum is looking forward to its Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2020, following another successful year of developments on the site.

Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, as it is now known, was founded in 1970 by its first director, the late Frank Atkinson, whose brainchild it was, while serving in a similar role at Bowes Museum in the 1950s.

He was inspired by visits to Scandinavian folk museums and, aware of the ever-changing face of the region, he wanted to preserve everyday ways of life in the North-East for future generations to see and experience.

The Northern Echo: Beamish's founding director Frank Atkinson, who died in 2014, worked with just three staff when the museum opened in 1970Beamish's founding director Frank Atkinson, who died in 2014, worked with just three staff when the museum opened in 1970

Starting with three staff, based at nearby Beamish Hall, Mr Atkinson had already built up a large collection of antique items and old working machinery.

Now welcoming about 750,000 visitors a year the site, near Stanley, features many themed displays from different eras in North-East history of recent centuries, the latest, its 1950s’ town, starting to take shape in 2019.

The Northern Echo: Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall, of 1957, was also recreated on the Beamish Museum site during 2019Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall, of 1957, was also recreated on the Beamish Museum site during 2019

The replica of the former Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall opened in June, while the new Northern General Transport Bus Depot and adjoining workshop became home to the museum’s expanding bus fleet, in November, as part of the £20m Remaking Beamish project.

Work is also progressing on the site’s 1950s’ terrace.

The Golden Jubilee celebrations will begin with a week of activities during February’s school half-term holiday, with further events, exhibitions and competitions throughout the year.

A range of special 50th anniversary souvenirs and publications will be produced to mark the milestone.

The Northern Echo: Christmas celebrations at Beamish MuseumChristmas celebrations at Beamish Museum

Rhiannon Hiles, who has worked her way up to become deputy director, having worked at the museum for 25 years, starting as a volunteer, said everyone connected with Beamish is looking forward to the anniversary.

“Beamish is known around the world as one of the largest and well-known open-air museums.

“It is part of people’s own heritage and has a special place in the hearts of many people and communities.

“We hope as many people as possible will come along and visit us, to join in our special 50th anniversary celebrations during the year.”

She added that with continued support from the public Beamish will continue to flourish.