Black Country Living Museum secures £454,159 to protect historic buildings
14th Apr 2026
Black Country Living Museum has been awarded £454,159 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), delivered by Arts Council England, to carry out essential repairs to five historic buildings across the site.
The investment will fund roof and structural works, ensuring these buildings remain safe, accessible and able to support the Museum’s immersive visitor experience for years to come.
Protecting the buildings that bring history to life
These buildings are at the heart of the Museum’s work to champion the Black Country, celebrate its people and communities, and share its distinctive history and heritage.
They include working heritage spaces, learning environments and areas used to care for the Museum’s nationally significant collection - all of which help create the unique, immersive experience visitors enjoy.
A vote of confidence in the Museum’s future
This funding represents another significant endorsement of the Museum’s work and its future, recognising both the national importance of its collection and its role at the centre of the region’s cultural life.
By investing in these buildings, the project will ensure the Museum can continue to welcome visitors into authentic, working historic spaces - bringing the stories of the Black Country to life for generations to come.
About The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND)
This programme supports museums, libraries and cultural venues to improve infrastructure, increase access and ensure that more people can experience arts and culture in their local communities.
This round of funding forms part of a wider investment in cultural organisations through the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund and is administered and delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Plan your visit
Black Country Living Museum welcomes over 370,000 visitors each year, offering a unique opportunity to explore the region’s history through immersive streets, buildings and working environments.