Sarah Hayes | Coffin Works | Home of Newman Brothers Museum

Author: sarahhayes

Bio: Newman Brothers at The Coffin Works is a new visitor attraction located on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. This time-capsule building and its contents tells the story of Newman Brothers, Birmingham’s last coffin-furniture factory who operated from their Fleet Street premises for over 100 years until 1998 when workers lay down their equipment, and walked out of the building for the very last time, leaving everything, including personal belongings behind.

Author Posts:

Remembering Colin Meager: friend and colleague

January 20, 2021 | Coffin Works, Newman Brothers, Volunteer Stories | Sarah Hayes | 0

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Colin Meager, a friend and volunteer of Birmingham Conservation Trust and the Coffin Works. Our sincere thoughts are with...
The Coffin Works Museum receives lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund

October 17, 2020 | Birmingham History, Coffin Works, Uncategorized | Sarah Hayes | 0

The Coffin Works has been awarded £53,500 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to...
The Coffin Works Museum is Re-opening!

September 22, 2020 | Coffin Works, Newman Brothers | Sarah Hayes | 0

We’ve missed you! After six months of temporary closure, we’re excited to announce that we are finally opening our doors on 30th October, which coincides with our...
Temporary closure updates at the Coffin Works Museum

March 17, 2020 | Uncategorized | Sarah Hayes | 0

Following the Government’s advice to avoid all non-essential contact we have taken the decision to close the Coffin Works to the public from Wednesday 18th March until Monday...
A Poem of a Review! Ghost Stories For Christmas

January 4, 2019 | Uncategorized | Sarah Hayes | 0

What a Joy, what a pleasure, a wonderful treat to visit the Coffin Works on old Brum’s Fleet Street Newman Brother’s factory, the place to be Ghost Stories for...
Review: Pandemonium of Poe

November 28, 2018 | Coffin Works, Events, Newman Brothers | Sarah Hayes | 0

What can I say about the Pandemonium of Poe, other than the production by the Don’t Go in the Cellar theatre company in early November was simply superb! The performance...
A Successful Placement!

September 22, 2017 | Coffin Works, Uncategorized, Volunteer Stories | Sarah Hayes | 0

Ellie began volunteering with us in April 2017, as part of her University of Birmingham MA placement in International Heritage Management. The placement was six weeks in total and...
From Coffins to Caskets: an American History

July 26, 2017 | Coffin Works, Newman Brothers | Sarah Hayes | 5

What’s the difference between a coffin and a casket? It’s a question I’d never entertained before working at Newman Brothers Coffin Works, but that’s the question we...
If special widths are required…an extra will be charged – a brief history of the shroud.

April 26, 2017 | Coffin Works, Newman Brothers | Sarah Hayes | 0

‘If special widths are required, as used in Scotland and Ireland, an extra will be charged’. Those words grace the page of a Newman Brothers’ catalogue, dating from the...
Penny Dreadful! Or, Mrs Lovett’s Revenge!

January 18, 2017 | Coffin Works, Events, Newman Brothers, Uncategorized | Sarah Hayes | 0

Yet another performance from ‘Don’t Go into the Cellar – Victorian theatre with bite! There are chills and chuckles in abundance with this original one-woman...