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Rolfe Street Baths PLA01_01_079
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Rolfe Street Baths PLA01_01_079
Black Country Living Museum, Rolfe Street Baths, Tipton Road, Dudley. The Rolfe Street Baths, originally located in Smethwick, seen from the north-east at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley after it was moved in 1989.
The baths were built in 1888 for Smethwick Board of Health. The building was designed by Harris, Martin and Harris, with ornamental brickwork and terracotta panels decorating the facade. The building housed two swimming pools, slipper baths, showers and a municipal laundry. The baths closed in 1989 and the building was dismantled and moved to the Black Country Living Museum, where it was rebuilt at the Tipton Road entrance to the site. The former swimming pool halls were converted into exhibition space and archives, which opened in 1999
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 26397952
© Historic England Archive
Bathing Baths Brick Gothic Indoor Swimming Pool Late 20th Century Museum Restoration Sport And Recreation Sporting Sports Sports Heritage Sports History Swim Victorian
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the Rolfe Street Baths, a remarkable piece of Victorian architecture that has found its new home at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. Originally situated in Smethwick, this grand building was constructed in 1888 for the Smethwick Board of Health. Designed by Harris, Martin and Harris, it boasts intricate ornamental brickwork and terracotta panels adorning its facade. Once a bustling hub of activity, the baths featured two swimming pools, slipper baths, showers, and even a municipal laundry. However, after serving the community for over a century, they closed their doors in 1989. Determined to preserve this important part of local history, the entire structure was carefully dismantled and relocated to its current site at Tipton Road entrance within the Black Country Living Museum. Today, visitors can explore these restored halls which have been transformed into exhibition spaces and archives since opening to the public in 1999. The photo captures not only the architectural beauty of this gothic-style building but also highlights its significance as a symbol of sports heritage and history. The vibrant red bricks stand out against an azure sky while evoking nostalgia for an era when indoor swimming pools were considered luxurious amenities. This image serves as a testament to both restoration efforts and our collective commitment to preserving our past for future generations to appreciate.
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