Back to 1950s Britain - Beamish Living Museum 50s High Street

In this weeks video I visit Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to see their new 1950s High Street. The High Street is just like stepping back in time and you can explore a toy shop, electronics store, hairdressers, cinema, chip shop, welfare hall and even see inside the home of Norman Cornish, eminent artist and working class hero. I spent a whole day exploring the area and could have stayed for much longer. It is one of the best living museum experiences I have ever had.

There is no doubt the exhibit is wonderful, I absolutely loved it. As usual I visited on my own steam and all opinions are my own. I am Lucy, social historian, 20th Century lover and all round nosy parker - all videos are filmed, edited and scripted by me, if you like a bit of a social history exploration please be sure to subscribe and join my amazing community of history lovers in the comments. You are very welcome here.

#socialhistory #socialhistoryofengland #beamish #livingmuseum #museum #heritage #ukheritage #historichouses #historicbuildings #workingclasshistory #realpeople #1950s #britisharchitecture #historylover #countydurham #northeast #northumberland #visitengland

[oldtatshow]

What a well produced, informative video. I work at Beamish and am thrilled that you enjoyed the 1950s village so much.

[jacquelinetaylor]

I'm a child of the 50's and remember a feeling of social cohesion. There was a feeling of shared society. Things weren't all rosy but I think people were probably happier having a shared cultural back ground.

[judis]

Remember having fish and chips in newspaper 😊

[michaeltreadwell]

Hi Lucy, that was fantastic ! I was born in 1955, so was growing up in the 50s and 60s. So much of what you showed there brought back so many memories, of both my own home and that of my Grandparents. Lino round the edge of the room and a carpet square in the middle. We never had a fridge until I was 8, in 1963, and my Grandfather never had one, or a washing machine. He had a gas fired 'Copper' in the corner of his kitchen, and a huge green enamel mangle in a lean to. I remember the 1950s - 60s High Street too. So many different shops - no super markets back then - it was all very different and somehow more 'gentile'. We were happy and had all the basics for a nice life. Can't wait for your next video with the 50s houses. Thanks Lucy for this, and for showing what a fantastic time we all had back then, without realising it ! Take special care 🙂 X X

[Julie-bqiz]

I loved this! I was born in 1955, and I love 'Call The Midwife'. Thank you!

[atalanta]

‘A warm hug in that moment.’ Spot on. How lovely to feel your joy and enthusiasm for things that I also like.

[gillianbrookwell]

I was born in 1949 in Sheffield; I was always underweight as a child and I do remember Haliborange. My mother kept huge jars of Malt & Cod-liver Oil in the pantry that I was made to swallow every day to try and fatten me up. The building itself is amazing.

[ephemerabluetit]

Respect for the Greatest Generation!!! I am humbled to think what they survived. God bless and cheers!

[irenefitzpatrick]

Lovely! I am 74 so I was a child in the 50s and this brought a few memories back. Thank you Lucy! ❤❤

[SusanForeman]

This makes me feel so safe and comfortable, which is an odd thing to say about the shops, I know. Seeing those antique appliances shiny and on display, it's like I can steal back some hope and childlike wonder from beyond the mists of time.


I'm going through a hard time financially. (Aren't we all.)

[cassieoz]

So many years since I visited Beamish, and I'll never get back now. It's a wonderful, groundbreaking place and I'm pleased to see more commemoration of real people and real life

[jeanirwin]

I love Beamish I feel at home when I visit Beamish I will be back again

[judis]

So right about the doll hospital and just chucking out.😊

[SIRDKA]

The original shop was my theatre of dreams as a kid in Middlesbrough in the 60's. It was a truly marvellous place.

[BStevie]

It’s a great museum, I was born just after the War, when rationing was still in place up to 1954, and at Beamish they manage to re-create those early periods of British life brilliantly, particularly the 1950s, a period I can relate to. If you have not visited this museum before I can certainly recommend it, together with a stay at the nearby Beamish Hotel.

[DMWANO]

St Helen's Church in Beamish, used to be the church in the cemetary directly behind my home (Eston Cemetary). It was dismantled brick by brick in 1998 and rebuilt in Beamish. Proud our little church from an unknown part of the UK made it to one of the UK's best museums.

[janenewley]

I believe that St Fagan’s museum near Cardiff was UK’s earliest open air museum…opened in 1948!

[whatswrongwithpeople-xquk]

I adore this place wish I could live there

[JillofAllTrades-inMI]

I love that you pan the camera slowly, giving us a chance to really absorb what you're seeing. I got to see details on some of the fixtures and furniture I may not have noticed if I was there in person. Another amazing video!

[SusanHoldsworth]

I was born in June 1950. Your channel is the only one I have subscribed to. Your Knowledge and Enthusiasm for times gone by is so heartwarming. Thank you so much. ❤