A visit at the Pen Museum
The Birmingham Pen Museum is unique in the world and celebrates the role the Jewellery Quarter had to play in pen manufacturing. After exploring the Property Market and Employment Survey where Blackswan was suggesting changing the name of the Industrial Middle into "Pen Quarter", I decided to look a little bit further into this specific aspect of the heritage of the Jewellery Quarter. And what better way to do that than through a study trip to the Pen Museum? Here is a short review of my experience at the museum in the Jewellery Quarter:
A review of the Pen Museum
The exhibits were beautiful, nicely accompanied by historic photographs and easy to read, engaging descriptions. Together, they made the history of pen manufacturing truly come to life, exploring the way in which industrial innovations were made, factories were founded and pen nibs were traded, as well as the role ordinary people had to play in the whole story.
The fact that the exhibition actually acknowledged and highlighted aspects of the lives of those working long and tiring hours in workshops and factories, was one element of the exhibition that truly stood out to me. Visitors can explore historic photographs of ladies and children working in these factories, as well as understand the physical work that was involved in every stage of the production process by trying it out themselves in the workshop area.
The workshop area was jam-packed with all kinds of beautiful things: pen nibs, industrial machinery, nib holders, boxes, catalogues, photographs and many more. Eclectic, and inspiring - a real treat to the eye.
The friendly staff not only guided us in "producing" our own pen nibs, but were also extremely happy to answer questions and give valuable information. They showed us what a factory worker's daily "lot" was: it was a box full of nibs that represented the amount of nibs that needed to be produced in a single day by one person.
Towards the end of the tour, we were given the opportunity of trying out writing with different types of nibs - which truly was one of my favourite parts! It made so much sense to try writing with a pen nib yourself, after reading and exploring the history of pen manufacturing. It also felt like a creative challenge - which made the visit at the museum not just informative, but also inspiring.
On the whole, my visit at the museum was a wonderful experience - although my designer mind felt like there is still so much potential that could be unleashed. Here are a couple of points from an interior design point of view, that I feel could be developed in the future - if circumstances allow it.
The Space.
Although the entire exhibition space is neatly organised and engaging, it happened more than once that I was reading the descriptions or watching staff handle industrial machinery while awkwardly trying to make space for someone else to pass by. Also, when entering the second building where the workshops are, visitors pass through what used to be the carriageway that leads into the external courtyard, which makes a bit of a forced transition. I wonder if there would be a way of taking advantage of the passageway, and using the space to engage visitors and make it feel a bit less fragmented.
Technology.
It is needless to say how technology enhances exhibitions and encourages interaction. Although the museum offers a film screening, and some audio stories of some factory workers, I felt the need of more modern and engaging technology that could have brought a fresh perspective on pen nib manufacturing. A series of interactive pods or displays would truly allow visitors to actively engage with the story of the Pen Museum.
Try it out! - A focus on hands-on activities.
During my visit at the museum, I found it most exciting whenever I was given the opportunity to try things out myself - create my own pen nib, try out calligraphy with a range of pen nibs etc. Although the museum is organising practical and creative workshops and event, I believe if they were to rethink the scope of the exhibition, and reorganise it in an interactive, activity-focused way, it would truly have a much greater impact on the visitors.
