Remembering Railways
The Border Counties and ‘Wannie’ Lines
Revel in the romantic age of steam in our railwayana exhibitions - acclaimed by railway enthusiasts – then see what’s survived of our special station.
Working Lives
Farming and mining
Listen to local people talk about their work. See their ancestors hard at work in stunningly detailed photographs and then work out how they used the many tools on display.
Hot Metal
A village blacksmith at work
Aged 90, and after 50 years at his forge, Arthur Grimwood decided it was finally time to retire! His family donated the entire forge – tools, hearth and bellows, and a bottle of his favourite tipple – to the Heritage Centre and our extension was built around it. Feel the heat when watching a film of a blacksmith at work.
Organised Mischief
Brown Rigg Camp School
Revisit your own school days by reminiscing with ex-Brownriggers through their extensive photographic archive. Find out what drew hundreds of former pupils back to the village for their biennial weekend reunions.
Rebellious Reivers
Dare you enter our Reivers’ corner?
Were your ancestors one of the fearsome Reiver clans that roamed the borders in search of booty? Don’t worry, our replica helmets, shields and weaponry should protect you from even the most savage raiders. Find out more about where they lived and what they did.
Smile Please!
Shoot with a Polaroid, Instamatic or a Box Brownie.
Visit Walter Percy Collier’s photography shop, then browse our computer database of over 2000 of his fascinating images, showing local people, places and events between the two world wars.