The Heritage Centre Bellingham proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, marking three decades of preserving and showcasing the rich history of Bellingham and its surrounding areas.
Since its humble beginnings in 1994, when a small box of postcards was first exhibited at the Town Hall, the Heritage Centre has evolved significantly. It now occupies the former council depot’s garage at Station Yard which was transformed into a museum with the help of a grant. Visitors can explore exhibits and displays on the region’s railway, coal mining and iron industries, the Border Reivers, and a replica of Walter P. Collier’s Edwardian photography shop.
Additionally, there is a Victorian school room exhibit, extensive information on the former Brown Rigg county boarding school and detailed displays about both World Wars. The centre also features a mural depicting 105 themes related to the kingdom of Northumbria, exhibits on Kielder Forest, Kielder reservoir, wind farms, and a comparison between coal and renewable energy sources.
A faithfully reconstructed local smithy provides a glimpse into the area’s industrial past. This year’s special seasonal exhibition is dedicated to Valdemars Blankenburgs, a Latvian refugee who fled the Nazis and later the Russians during World War II, and who documented the development of Kielder Forest through his photography. On the station platform, the former Parcel Shed has been converted into an additional exhibition space.
The centre’s growing Wikipedia page enables locals and those from further afield to share their stories of life in Bellingham and offers access to personal histories closely tied to the collections. This digital collection is especially valuable for our work with local schools, as it aligns with the growing educational emphasis on learning about local history and the community.
This year has been particularly successful with a 57% increase in visitor numbers. The removal of admission fees, allowing visitors to donate voluntarily if they wish, launched as a trial in June 2022 and has proven highly effective. While some visitors choose not to donate, many speak highly of the exhibitions and return with family members, while those who do donate often contribute double the amount of the former admission fee.
A Mark 3 former HST 125 first-class railway carriage was transformed into the revamped “Tea on the Train” café and opened in September 2023. This unique café experience beautifully complements the Heritage Centre’s location at Station Yard, offering visitors a stylish and comfortable place to enjoy lunch.
Like many organisations, we are feeling the pressure of sustaining our volunteer base – our seven-day opening schedule requires 28 of our 35 volunteers. To help, we offer volunteer discounts in our shop and café, as well as gift vouchers for those who successfully recruit new colleagues. This incentive program has brought in five new volunteers this year. We are also collaborating with other groups to attract more people to help our efforts. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we are deeply grateful for the dedication of our trustees and volunteers, without whom this milestone would not have been possible. Despite the challenges, we continue to grow and evolve, and we look forward to welcoming you to The Heritage Centre soon.
Clare Craig, Volunteer and Shop Manager