This fine example of a 15th century cruck-built house was the headquarters of Handsworth Historical Society from 1978 until early 2025.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY
On 20 February 1952, a group of like-minded people met to promote the history of Handsworth, and from this meeting Handsworth Historical Society was formed, its objects being to promote and encourage the study of local history, together with collecting and preserving relevant items.
Over the years many important items have indeed been collected, including a tracing of the Handsworth tithe map of 1841 (measuring about 8.5ft x 12ft) and a 1794 tithe map, both with their schedules of landowners, tenants and uses. We also have local directories, photographs and historical artefacts, plus information on St Mary’s Parish Church, the Lunar Society, etc.
The Society was privileged to have been the steward of half of Handsworth Old Town Hall from 1978 until early 2025, the other half still being occupied.
This Grade 2 listed building is situated at 20 Slack Lane, Handsworth, and is a very good example of a cruck-framed building which is believed to date back to 1460, during Henry VI’s reign. Our use of the building was arranged only with a great deal of help from our Founder Chairman, the late Alderman Fred Hall, and the Society paid just a peppercorn rent to Birmingham City Council for many years until a market rent was imposed.
The Society celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022 and is probably one of the oldest continuously in existence in Birmingham. It has about a hundred members, and holds monthly speaker meetings at a nearby venue. The Society is represented on Birmingham Heritage Forum, provides displays at local history fairs and attempts to deal with family/local history enquiries received by letter/telephone/website, using many of our archives, which will still be retained when we have returned the building to Birmingham City Council..
