Newman Brothers Coffin Furniture Factory, Birmingham

Newman Brothers at The Coffin Works is a museum located in the historical Newman Brothers Coffin Furniture Factory building in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. This unique museum serves as a gateway to the past, offering insights into the social and industrial history of a site that functioned as a coffin furniture factory from 1894 until its closure in 1998.

The factory was initially established in 1882 as a brass foundry by Alfred and Edwin Newman. By 1894, the business relocated to a new factory on Fleet Street, designed by Roger Harley in 1892, situated in the bustling Jewellery Quarter. This move marked a significant pivot in the company’s focus, as Newman Brothers transitioned to exclusively manufacturing coffin furniture. This niche market encompassed a variety of products essential for coffins, such as handles, crucifixes, nameplates, ornaments, and soft goods like shrouds and coffin linings, leveraging similar manufacturing techniques used in brass foundry.

After ceasing operations in 1998, the factory building faced the risk of oblivion. However, thanks to a determined fifteen-year campaign by the Birmingham Conservation Trust, substantial funds were raised to preserve and transform this piece of industrial heritage into a museum. The museum officially opened its doors in October 2014, dedicated to educating the public about the factory's pivotal role in the funerary industry.

Today, Newman Brothers at The Coffin Works not only offers guided tours around the meticulously restored factory, revealing rich personal narratives of its former workers, but it also supports the local economy by providing office spaces for small businesses. This museum stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Newman Brothers and their contribution to the historical and cultural fabric of Birmingham.