Research

Research by Dr Chris Upton into the occupations of the former residents of the court has highlighted just how true the expression "A City of 1,000 Trades" is. In these 11 houses the variety of different skills and trades is exceptional. In the 1851 census there is an entry for Sophie Hodson, a widow. She, her three eldest children, and her mother, are all employed in pearl button making - a trade that Birmingham was famous for. At this time there is also a whip maker in the Court. Later the Oldfield's arrive with their glass making skills. They have a lodger who is a bone turner. There are locksmiths, gas fitters, jewellers, upholsterers, scale makers, tailors, hat makers, and even a gin dealer and a cow keeper! The list goes on and on.

Visitors get the chance to learn more about these trades in the exhibition room. In the meantime if anyone is interested in dipping into the excellent research that Dr Upton has completed for this project, a reference copy, including the census information, has been housed in the local studies section of Birmingham Central Library and Phillimore has published a book written by him on the subject entitled “Living Back to Back”, which is available at the Back to Backs or in good bookshops.

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The Back to Backs in the spotlight

Media response to the project has been almost as enthusiastic as response from local people. When the partnership with the National Trust was launched, there were articles in every national broadsheet. Throughout the project there have been features in the local press and now it is being mentioned in a wide range of specialist journals.

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