Beamish Museum's 1950s Jubilee celebrations and the opening of Coronation Park

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is inviting visitors to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the 1950s, the decade Her Majesty’s reign began.

The museum will be holding 1950s street parties during a week of celebrations in local half term, from 28th May to 5th June 2022, and is opening its new Coronation Park and Recreation Ground, named in honour of The Queen.

Coronation Park, in The 1950s Town, features a 1950s-style play park, miniature golf course, football area and sandpit, and will be officially opened on Friday, 27th May by Mrs Sue Snowdon, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, and Durham Amateur Football Trust. It will be followed by the week of Jubilee Celebrations from 28th May to 5th June.

Helen Barker, Assistant Director Engagement Activity & Collections Access, said: “We’re really looking forward to celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Beamish this half term.

“Our new Coronation Park will be open and we’ll be celebrating the Jubilee in true 1950s style, with street parties, music, dancing and activities for all the family, we hope everyone can join us. Huge congratulations to Her Majesty on this special anniversary from everyone at Beamish.”

Take part in party games at 1950s Spain’s Field Farm on 28th and 29th May and 2nd to 5th June. See traditional crafts and skills during Industry Day on 28th May in the welfare hall, such as lacemaking, basket weaving, proggy mat making, beekeeping, accordions, harness making, plus a display by Durham Amateur Football Trust.

See Cleveland Miniaturists’ Jubilee street party scene on display in the welfare hall committee room on 2nd and 3rd June. On 4th and 5th June, the Women’s Institute will be at the museum with crafts and displays, plus a parade on 5th June.

Coronation Park is part of the Remaking Beamish project and will also include a bowling green and pavilion, based on the one at Billingham Bowling Club, that is due to open later this year.

The Remaking Beamish project includes The 1950s Town, 1950s Spain’s Field Farm and expansion of The 1820s Landscape. Thanks to the money raised by National Lottery players, the Remaking Beamish project was awarded £10.9million by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2016.

The Jubilee Celebrations are included in admission to Beamish, and are free for Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members, as with all daytime events.