This special event will explore the power of living history, and the use of role play in performing heritage in museums.

LIVING HISTORY IN ACTION: PERFORMING HERITAGE IN MUSEUMS

9 October 2026, 10am – 3.30pm

Venue: Black Country Living Museum

This one-day event will explore how working in role in museums and heritage sites can deepen visitors’ understanding of the past and create meaningful, immersive encounters.

Bringing together practitioners, researchers and young people, the event will draw in particular on Dorothy Heathcote’s contributions to role-work, and to history and heritage education.

The programme features guest speaker Tony Jackson (author of Performing Heritage), alongside presentations from BCLM’s own costumed interpreters, who will share insights into their practice and the real historical figures who inspire their work; plus live demonstrations of role-work by groups of young people from local schools.

This event is free but places are limited.

Presented by the Mantle of the Expert Network and Black Country Living Museum.

PROGRAMME

9.30am Arrival

10am Introduction: David Allen

10.15am Guest Speaker: Tony Jackson

11.00: Janine Downs & BCLM team

12.00: Lunch

13.00: Role-work presentations:

a. Living History: Cotton Mill Apprentices (with students from Tudor Grange Academy Worcester)

b. Living History: Child Needle-makers (with students from Woodrow First School)

14.15 Coffee

14.30 Panel and Q&A

15.30 Event ends

The Dorothy Heathcote Living History project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. With thanks to National Lottery players.

Description supplied by the event organiser.