What’s happening at Birmingham Back to Backs over Birmingham Heritage Week

What’s happening at Birmingham Back to Backs over Birmingham Heritage Week

Tucked away on an unassuming corner opposite the Hippodrome, is Birmingham Back to Backs. Run by the National Trust, the Back to Backs is the last remaining example of back-to-back housing in Birmingham. On a prebooked tour, you can take a travel through time – from the 1840s to the 1970s – learning about the lives of the former residents who crammed into these small houses to live and work.

As part of Birmingham heritage week, which runs form Friday 8th to Sunday 17th September, the Back to Backs have a series of one-off events; giving you the chance to experience their rich history with a unique twist – be that a special tour or creative workshop.

Events running during the week include:

Women’s History Tour – Friday 8 th September
A special tour of the back-to-back houses, exploring the history of women who lived in Birmingham in the 1800’s. On this guided tour, you’ll hear stories of women who lived in the court and beyond, as well as more about the wider social history of the period. You can find out more, or book tickets,
here.

Back to Backs Drawing and Painting – Monday 11th September
Test your observational skills, drawing from life with the support of local artist and illustrator Milan Topalovic. Spend time in the unique courtyard of the Back to Backs working on your own painting, with Milan’s guidance. You can find out more, or book tickets, here.

Birmingham Back to Backs Research Event: In collaboration with Find My Past – Wednesday 13 th
September – EVENT SOLD OUT
Using new research undertaken by Find My Past, you’ll hear stories of the residents of the houses from the 1921 census. Listen to a talk from the staff involved in the project, alongside a short talk from one of their own volunteers who has uncovered a fascinating story hiding in their own family
tree.

Historical Fiction Workshop – Thursday 14th September
Join novelist Carolyn Kirby (The Conviction of Cora Burns, When We Fall) for a historical fiction writing workshop. Through discussion and writing exercises, Carolyn will help you bring the past, and your characters, alive. As well as show you how research can be a stimulus when creating stories set in the past. You can be an experienced writer, or just starting out in your writing journey, everyone is
welcome. You can find out more, or book tickets, here.

Vintage Victorians Fashion Illustration – Friday 15th September
Following an introduction to the weird and wonderful fashion trends of the time, try your hand at a vintage Victorian fashion illustration, with local portrait artist and illustrator, Milan Topalović.

Free Exhibitions – open until the end of the year
As well as the above events running during Birmingham Heritage Week, there are two free exhibitions you can visit above the Back to Backs second-hand bookshop, Court 15 Books.

The current exhibitions are Gary Lindsay-Moore: Its Not Unusual; view a series of photographs by local artist Gary Lindsay-Moore, inspired by the well-known punk and new romantic shop, Kahn & Bell – as well as clothing and photos of the time – and George Saunders Reimagined; where students from the School of Fashion and Textiles at Birmingham City University have created new garments
using the original paper patterns of George Saunders, a master Tailor who moved to Birmingham form St Kitts in 1958. Exhibitions change every six months, so be sure to pop in again to see what’s next!

If you’d like to know more about the events happening during Birmingham Heritage Week, and any
other events that are happening over the next few months, please visit the Back to Back event page.