A BRAND new attraction has been opened at Haden Hill House Museum exploring the lives of two young women who were plucked from poverty to live in the grand house in the 19th century.

Alice Cockin and Bertha Emma Bryant began a new life in Haden Hill House, under the guardianship of George Alfred Haden-Best who built the house in 1878.

Until now the girls have largely been a foot-note in the history of this grand Victorian gentleman's residence but after funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Sandwell Museums Service and the Friends of Haden Hill House their story can be told.

Visual artist and curator Jo Loki has been charged with unravelling the mystery of the only family to ever live in the house as part of the museum's twelve month project Best's Angels.

Museum services officer Jane Hanney said: "The idea for the project came from a recent discovery of original glass-plate negatives which we bought at auction: a collection that reveals a more informal side of the girls’ lives — picnics on the lawn, children playing and other holiday occasions."

Visitors services officer Alison Hyatt added: "This is a perfect opportunity to examine these objects, research the girls and the family they were adopted into; we want to share this with the public."

The new exhibit is called The Evidence Room and is presented as an installation ‘in-construction’ — a space to assemble the evidence so far; revealing new material as it’s discovered.

Jo Loki will continue the investigation while occupying the room over the coming months, using the space to build a three-dimensional story of the girls lives.

She said: "While my passion for history is the element that inspires all my work, my research is often hidden behind the scenes, but through The Evidence Room I am sharing the process of investigation with the audience.

"It's amazing how even the smallest detail can lead to new understandings and start adding shape to a mystery."

People can follow the investigation online by either visiting the website bestsangels.wordpress.com or visiting the Best's Angels Facebook page and the team are appealing for information about the girls, if you have any information call 01384 569444.