The Mushroom Green Conservation Area
Kendrick's Chainshop Before Restoration
Kendrick's Chainshop Before Restoration
Kendrick's Chainshop After Restoration
In 1952 the railway was closed and the track lifted, the line now being a footpath. On the initiative of the local authority and the Black Country Society, Mushroom Green was declared a conservation area in 1970, and Kendrick’s chain-shop was restored by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, with the help of a grant from the Department of the Environment. Since the chain-shop was saved it has been protected by a Grade II listing.
The idea of restoration had begun in 1972, when the Black Country Society received a letter from the planning department of the then County Borough of Dudley. It stated that the future of the old chain shop, the adjoining cottage and outbuildings were in doubt due to the state of dilapidation. It went on to request comments on the "desirability of retaining these buildings or any realistic schemes to prevent their demolition."
Negotiations and lobbying continued until 1975, by which time European Architectural Heritage Year had declared the site "outstanding", which initiated a higher level of grant from the Department of the Environment. With the £5000 already pledged by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council work could begin, the council having negotiated purchase from the owners. Using voluntary labour the Black Country Society were able to complete the project by February 1976
The Black Country Living Museum fitted it out with tools for making small chain, salvaged from local chain-shops, and it was opened to the public on 1st February 1977. In 2001 a dolly hearth was set up so that the making of 1in (25mm) diameter hammered chain could be demonstrated.
Number 14, the Kendrick family home, was demolished to make way for a modern house. The Griff chain-works were demolished, although the test shop and blacking shop were converted into garages for the residents.
Unfortunately, Mushroom Green is no longer open to the public.
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| Reference: | 693 |
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| Updated: | Wed 6 Jun 2007 - 14 |
| Interpretation written by | Louis Howe |
| Author's organisation | Curatorial |
| Organisation's website |