A CEREMONY will take place at Avoncroft Museum in Bromsgrove to mark the end of a project to restore a 19th century nailer’s cottage.

Visitors are welcome to attend the free event which is run as part of English Heritage’s ‘Heritage Open Days’ scheme.

Joyce Rea formerly Homer, who was born in the house in 1925, will be among the guests attending the celebrations at 12 noon on Friday, September 12.

Joyce, who is nearly 90, has shared many memories of living in the house with her family during the 1930s.

Simon Carter, director of Avoncroft Museum, said: “We are very pleased to add the nailer’s cottage to our collection. It reflects such a key part of Bromsgrove’s history and Joyce has been able to give us such wonderful insights into her life there that it really has brought the past to life.”

The cottage originally stood on the Old Birmingham Road in Bromsgrove and during its 80 years there it remained largely unaltered.

It was due to be demolition but following successful bids by Avoncroft Museum the house was rescued and reconstruction work began in July.

The two-up-two-down cottage was dismantled and then reconstructed at the museum taking around five weeks to complete.

In the 19th century, Bromsgrove was the largest hand-made nailmaking centre in the world with more than 10,300 residents employed in the trade.

Free admission to the museum will be available, between 10.30am to 5pm, only on the ceremony date.

For more information visit heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/avoncroft-museum-of-historic-buildings1 or avoncroft.org.uk.