UPDATE: Please take the time to read our announcement. Ristorante Café Arena is open as normal.
We’re very happy to present Herstory of Birmingham, a zine about women who played an important role in Birmingham’s rich and diverse history.
The zine was produced as part of Roundhouse Birmingham’s partnership with We Don’t Settle, which aims to empower young people of colour from Birmingham and the Black Country to change the voice of heritage through the arts, research, and governance.
Why ‘Herstory of Birmingham’?
The zine was co-produced with a group of young curators: Nathan, Avi, Harry, and Beth; young writers, artists, photographers and designers who each share a strong connection with Birmingham. Their aim was to give a voice to those who have been traditionally underrepresented.
During their research, they had a light bulb moment: learning about the nation’s female lamplighters. Sadly along with the stories of many significant women, they have failed to reach our history books.
The zine takes the reader on a journey that spans across the globe. How so? Well, people have migrated to Birmingham from all over and through their labour, campaigning, and creativity they have shaped – and continue to shape – the city today.
To tell this story, our curators commission new work by:
You can pick up a free copy from the Roundhouse Birmingham Visitor Centre, download it below, or listen to the audio version.
The Roundhouse, 1 Sheepcote St, Birmingham, B16 8AE
0121 716 4077
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Registered Charity No. 1169232
Since 2021, the Roundhouse has also been a base for guided walks, kayak tours, boat trips and other activities. Whilst these have been well received, rising external costs mean this element of Roundhouse Birmingham is no longer providing the sustainable income we need to fund the ongoing care of this historic building. For this reason, we’ve made the difficult decision to close the leisure activity offer and visitor centre.
The office spaces will remain open as usual. Visitors can still access the site (see www.arenaltd.co.uk for opening hours) and Ristorante Caffe Arena will continue to welcome visitors.
We’re hugely proud of what the Roundhouse Birmingham team has achieved, and we’d also like to thank all of our visitors for their support. The trustees of Roundhouse Birmingham remain fully committed to caring for this important part of Birmingham’s heritage.
