DUDLEY'S new museum has been opened by wheelchair tennis champ Jordanne Whiley.
The Paralympic medallist cut the ribbon with the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Dave Tyler on Saturday (September 30), before visitors went to explore the exhibits on display in the town's archives centre.
The new museum boasts a dedicated timeline for people to walk through the different periods of the borough’s history which includes geology, dinosaurs, social history, fine art and the borough’s glass making heritage.
There are also informal education spaces, a new education room and study areas.
A new Dudley Heroes gallery showcases the great and the good from the borough including scientists, artists, writers and sportspeople.
Items on display include a range of footballing legend Duncan Edward’s shorts and caps, on loan from Manchester United (pictured above), two of record-breaking jumper Joe Darby’s belts and a complete Wimbledon kit on loan from Halesowen tennis ace Jordanne (pictured below).
Jordanne said: “It was a real honour to be invited to the launch event and to be recognised as one of the borough’s heroes.
“I was really impressed by the new museum, it has a really modern, welcoming feel and I’m sure it will be popular with visitors.”
Cllr Tyler added: “The new museum at Dudley Archives is a treat waiting to be discovered. I really enjoyed looking round the museum, I think the new interpretation is excellent and really brings the borough’s history to life.
“I particularly enjoyed the Dudley Heroes gallery which recognises the contribution of so many people over the years who have made this a borough we can all be proud of.”
The new museum is at the "heart of the borough's tourism hub", according to Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration.
He said: “People visiting the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Canal Trust or Castle Gate attractions can call into the museum and discover so much about the borough, from our fossils and geology, to dinosaurs, our social history, our wonderful painters and our borough heroes.
“I’m really proud of the new museum and proud of the team who have worked so hard to create this exciting new attraction.”
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