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Avoncroft is a collection of old buildings that have been rescued from demolition and decay then transported to a site near Bromsgrove in Worcestershire.  It contains structures from all over the West Midlands and from seven centuries. There's housing, agricultural and industrial buildings, a toll office, chapel, windmill, 1940s prefab and even a fibreglass church spire.
	Working life is represented with workshops from Black Country chain making and nail making.  These are not the huge manufacturing units of the late Industrial Revolution but the small, household workshops where every member of the family was expected to contribute to the work - including women and children.
The Museum was founded in 1964 following an unsuccessful attempt to preserve a listed Tudor house in Bromsgrove from demolition.  Campaigners managed to save only the timbers but the Merchant's House became the first exhibit to be restored and reconstructed on site.
	As well as buildings it is possible to see old skills and industries recreated at the museum. There are also regular costumed re-enactment days And for the communications enthusiast the museum houses the national collection of telephone boxes - including a Tardis! Back to top

    

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