Two sisters are to unveil a recreation of their family home, allowing visitors at Beamish Museum the chance to travel back in time to see how they spent their childhood.
Linda Gilmore and Brenda O’Neill’s former home on Rochdale Road, in Sunderland, won a public vote to be copied after being nominated on behalf of their mother Esther Gibbon who died in 2019.
Two houses from the era, along with a police office and a bowling green, are being opened at the County Durham living history site tomorrow (Friday, June 9) as part of the 1950s town.
Linda, who was born in the house in 1958, said: “It’s absolutely amazing.
“Coming into the house has brought back so many memories.
“It’s very emotional for me. I was born into a very happy family and to actually be able to have this house rebuilt and the history of our family kept alive forever – it is a very emotional moment for me.”
Brenda added: “It’s such a massive privilege. My mam absolutely loved this house, it was like somebody gave her the best thing ever in her life.
“That’s just so important for me, that my mam will be remembered for who she was and the kind of life she had and it was a happy place and that’s wonderful.”
A second semi-detached house will tell the story of Polish migration into the region following the Second World War.
Beamish has been working with Ray Malecki, whose late father Roman settled in the North East after the war and became a miner in Ashington.
Ray said: “It’s wonderful to be able to share my dad’s story. He was a lovely guy, got on with people very, very well.
“I’ll be delighted to bring my family and see the exhibit.”
Also being opened are a pair of police houses and office, replicated from Leam Lane in Gateshead, and a bowling green and pavilion from John Whitehead Park in Billingham.
Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening these wonderful exhibits in our 1950s Town.
“It has been such an honour for the museum to work with families and communities to share these important stories of life in the region and preserve this heritage for future generations.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project and to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and all of our supporters and funders.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming our visitors to explore the newest additions to Beamish.”
The Remaking Beamish project’s 1950s Town also includes a replica of Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall and Community Centre, Coronation Park and Recreation Ground, Front Street terrace with Elizabeth’s Hairdresser’s, Middleton’s fish and chip shop, John’s Café and a recreation of artist Norman Cornish’s house.
Work is underway on a 1950s cinema, toy shop and electrical shop.
Helen Featherstone, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “These amazing new exhibits that have been created by working with local people to uncover stories, will give visitors the chance to explore the heritage of the North East and truly understand what life would have looked like in the 1950s.”
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