The Tipton Raod attraction will be holding its bi-annual Historic Boaters Gathering on the weekend of 28th and 29th September.

The event will bring together some of the region’s most extraordinary vessels and rekindle a unique way of life that has long since vanished. Boat owners in period dress will man historic narrow boats, some of which are up to 150 years old.

The boats will moor on the Museum’s canal arm, once part of the canal network of the West Midlands, one of the densest canal networks in the country.
 
Those who want to dive deeper into the subject might also be interested in the Museum study day Canals and their Architecture on Sat 21 Sep. Join local historians and discover more about the distinctive and fascinating buildings and structures of our man-made waterways and include a guided tour and lunch for £18 per person. Hayley Merchant, Head of Collections, said:

“The Museum always looks forward to welcoming historic canal boats to this event, adding to our visitors experience of the Black Country Living Museum, and helping us to tell the story of the canals of the West Midlands, which played a key part in the industrial revolution and an important part in bringing the industrial revolution to the Black Country region, which during the 18th century, was comparatively remote.”
 
While the canal system once allowed cheap bulk transport of the many mineral resources in the area (including coal) and in part allowed for the social and economic development of the country, narrowboats and the canals are now used primarily for leisure. Canals would eventually become inefficient in comparison to rail networks – the majority that remain are therefore considered an integral part of the UK’s national heritage.
 
For more information or to book tickets please visit www.bclm.com.