West Midlands Police Museum facts for kids
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| Location | The Lock-up, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, England |
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| Type | Police museum |
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| Owner | West Midlands Police |
The West Midlands Police Museum is a cool place to learn about police history! It's located in a really old Victorian cell block on Steelhouse Lane in Birmingham, England. This building was actually used as a police station and jail from 1891 all the way until 2016.
Inside, you'll find lots of interesting items and old records from the West Midlands Police. These collections go back even further than 1839, when the Birmingham City Police was first formed. The museum also has a few paintings, including one of Sir Charles Horton Rafter. He was the longest-serving Chief Constable (the main police officer in charge) of Birmingham. The museum's records also have information about many police officers who worked in the West Midlands area.
Discover the Police Museum
The West Midlands Police Museum officially opened its doors in April 2022. It's located in the historic Victorian cell block at the former Steelhouse Lane police station. This building is so important that it's a Grade II listed building, meaning it's protected for its special history.
A New Home for History
Before moving to Steelhouse Lane, the museum's collection was shown in a different spot. It used to be in a part of the Sparkhill police station. That area was once a courtroom, where trials used to happen. The move to Steelhouse Lane happened after a big renovation project. This project was made possible with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
More Police Museums
Did you know the West Midlands Police runs more than one museum? They actually have two! Besides the one in Birmingham, there's another police museum located in Coventry. Both museums help people learn about the history of policing in the West Midlands region.
Explore More Online
- Paintings held at the museum
