Activities
Activity Sheets
We have three interactive worksheets for you to download and print.
These worksheets will take you on a journey of discovery where you will find out about a royal visit in 1874 to the Birmingham factory of Joseph Gillott, the interesting names manufacturers often gave their steel pen nibs and you can also try your hand at ancient translations.
Talks
Our talks provide a fascinating insight into the history of Birmingham’s Pen Trade during the 19th century.
Our Bespoke Talks are presented by Andy Munro, Trustee of the Museum, or one of our very knowlegable team.
Discover interesting details about the steel pen nib manufacturing processes, key entrepreneurs and the lives of the men, women and children who worked long hours in pen factories to make this trade so successful in terms of production, reputation and improving literacy.
Learn of the ingenuity of the city’s entrepreneurs and the tough working lives of the men, women, and children, who helped make Birmingham world market leaders in this industry.
As the Museum is in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter our talks also include intriguing and engaging facts about the Jewellery Quarter.
Talks are held person or virtually depending on location and have a minumum cost of £60 including travel.
To arrange talks please contact the Museum for further details and to discuss arrangements in full.
Teresa – Langley Friday Club “On behalf of Langley Friday Club just wanted to thank Andy for visiting us and giving his talk on The Jewellery Quarter. It was enjoyable with lots of interesting facts. Had lots of nice comments from members saying how much they had enjoyed the talk. Wasn’t aware until your talk there’s a Pen and a all enjoyed Coffin Museum plus other places of interest and the Quiz. Definitely a place to visit in the near future.”
South Yardley History Society “Informative, interesting and interactive, enjoyed immensely”.
Tividale Active Retirement Group “The response was one of the best we have had for a speaker”.
Wednesbury History Society “Thank you for coming to talk to our society, it was very interesting and entertaining, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening.”
West Bromwich Institute “An interesting overview of the work of the Pen Museum and the history of the trade it is preserving. The dedication of your volunteers has clearly saved this piece of Birmingham’s history, and we were delighted to learn about it. The speaker’s enjoyment and knowledge of their subject was evident, and the talk was both interesting and entertaining. The short writing exercise was very amusing, with all our members joining in with a laugh.”
“Feedback was Lovely” Care UK Sutton Coldfield.
