Bellingham Heritage Centre is observing its 30th anniversary, a Pearl anniversary, this year.
The centre resumes operations on Good Friday, March 29, unveiling a seasonal display chronicling the life of Valdemars Blankenburgs, a Latvian refugee who played a vital role in Kielder Forest's early development.
Nestled in the heart of Bellingham, the centre showcases the region's rich history, people, industries, and culture.
Established in 1994, it followed a public meeting sparked by an enthusiastic response to local historical photographs curated by Dorothy Bell.
The centre first opened its doors in Shellcroft, in the former garage next to the Cheviot.
Its initial year saw several exhibitions including the Border Counties Railway, Kielder past and present, and Tea Time in the 1920s.
Additionally, it spotlighted the North Tyne's Leek Clubs and the Amateur Dramatic Society.
By 2001, the centre had relocated to Station Yard, and its Tea on the Train cafe launched in 2012, completing the charming historical experience.
The Heritage Centre is child-friendly and offers fascinating exhibits that captivate young learners.
It is a popular site for school visits, where kids have the opportunity to learn about the local Reiver families, farming, mining, quarrying, and photography.
There are more than 54,000 names in their ancestry database, which along with 2,000 Hexham Courant clippings and nearly 2,000 images from the Collier Collection of photographs, serve as a digital resource.
For more information, visit www.bellingham-heritage.org.uk or call 01434 220050.
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