Frank Atkinson the founder of Beamish Museum in Country Durham has died aged 90. Beamish Museum began in the 1970s to capture a vanishing way of life in the North East of England.
 
Rosy and John Gall worked with Frank Atkinson on the Beamish project for a joint total of 80 years. Rosy writes 'He proved to be an unstoppable force, with the ability, not only to charm objects from the everyday man in the street, but also to have the vision and persuasive powers to convince the politicians of the region to support the project. He was a real objects person and believed that museum people should love the objects and their stories. Always open to ideas, and enthusiastic about new collections, his belief in communicating with the people of the North East region and further afield, using 'living history' techniques, allowed Beamish to become one of the most successful open air museums in Europe. The success of Beamish speaks for itself - where else in the country is there a museum which is able to fund itself out of its own resources? Regarded as the peoples' museum of the North, it attracted 680,000 visitors from all over the world in 2014. With more than 300 staff and a Capital Programme in excess of £10m, the museum continues to go from strength to strength - a testament to Frank's determination, inspiration and genius. He was also great fun to work with! He will be a very difficult act to follow.'
 
Jim Rees, Beamish's Assistant Director of Development, explained to Salvo, "Frank had a vision to create a museum similar to the folk museums of Sweden and Norway where whole timber buildings were moved to a place for people to enjoy. But Frank was pioneering in that he moved whole stone and brick buildings. For example, we have just finished erecting a partly medieval church which was taken down seventeen years ago."
 
Understandably not all the buildings at Beamish Museum are relocated whole buildings. Lots are the old facades of buildings, or replicas of old buildings. As a consequence Beamish Museum has a long standing relationship with the salvage and reclamation trade in the UK. "We have just taken delivery of a load of reclaimed oak from Norfolk and ordered some reclaimed flagstones from Huddersfield." said Jim. "We are reusing many reclaimed bricks from the A1 widening scheme. Dealing with old materials is a daily business for us."
 
Rod Donaldson from Source Antiques, who has supplied Beamish Museum with many fixtures, fittings, materials and props over the years, said "Of all the museums I have ever been to, Beamish is the most spectacular to me because its values of rescuing and re-telling the stories of objects and materials are dear to my heart."
 
Beamish Museum, Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG Tel: 0191 370 4000