Today was a slower morning, which felt amazing after a busy week. We finally got to sleep in until 8:00, and it honestly made such a difference. After grabbing a quick breakfast, we boarded a bus for a forty-minute ride to the Black Country Living Museum. I had heard a little about it before, but I didn’t fully realize how immersive it would be.
Once we arrived and checked in, Dr. Marks walked us around and shared some of the history of the Black Country. The area was historically a coal mining region, and it was shocking to learn that men and even boys as young as seven worked in the mines.The museum itself is outside and filled with rebuilt historic buildings, which makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. We saw old rail carts, mine shafts, and other pieces of mining equipment that really helped bring the stories to life.
One of the most memorable parts of the morning was visiting the schoolhouse. We were given a “lesson” by a teacher, but it felt more like an interactive play. She asked us questions and taught us the alphabet and math the way children would have learned in the 1960s. This weekend the museum was themed around the 60s, since each spring and summer weekend focuses on a different decade. It was so fun to see staff and visitors walking around dressed in 60s clothing—there were even little kids in costume.
To match the theme, there were also 60s performers dancing and singing, plus a flea market full of vintage items from the decade. After our schoolhouse lesson, we were allowed to explore the museum freely. Cameron Meredith and I immediately headed for the famous fish and chips. It was my first time having fish and chips in the UK, and it definitely lived up to the hype. They’re known for cooking in beef drippings, but I chose to have mine made in vegetable oil instead. The fish was incredibly crispy and delicious, and of course I added salt and vinegar to everything.
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After lunch, we wandered through the town and stopped in several shops. Some were real stores, while others were more like demonstrations. One of the most interesting stops was a medicine shop, where a man showed us how medicine used to be made. It was fascinating to see how different healthcare and pharmacy practices were in the past.
Eventually, we made our way back to the main building to meet up with the rest of the group and head back to the hotel. I ended up taking a nap on the bus ride home, which was the perfect way to recharge. Tonight we’re planning to grab dinner in town and watch a movie, and I’m super excited to relax after such a fun and educational day.