Soho House Museum, Birmingham

Soho House Museum, located in Birmingham, is a significant cultural and historical site, chiefly dedicated to celebrating the life and achievements of Matthew Boulton, an eminent 18th-century entrepreneur. This Grade II* listed building, originally an 18th-century house in Handsworth, now part of Birmingham, served as Boulton’s residence from 1766 until he died in 1809. Historically set in Staffordshire, the house was a central hub for the Lunar Society of Birmingham, a group that marked the Midlands Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.

Matthew Boulton acquired the Soho Mill in 1761, transforming it into the Soho Manufactory and subsequently expanding the adjacent cottage to create the Soho House. The house underwent significant renovations and expansions under the direction of architects Samuel Wyatt and James Wyatt in the late 18th century. After the demolition of the Soho Manufactory in 1863, the house changed hands multiple times until it was purchased by the Birmingham City Council in 1990 and opened as a museum in 1995.

Soho House Museum has been meticulously restored to preserve its 18th-century grandeur. It houses fine collections of ormolu, silver, furniture, and paintings, which are complemented by notable displays made in the former manufactory. Highlights include the ormolu Sidereal clock crafted by Boulton and Fothergill in 1771-72. The museum also features a Blue Plaque commemorating Boulton’s contributions.

The museum's grounds, originally spanning over 100 acres but now significantly reduced, feature a restored garden based on Boulton’s original planting notes and adorned with sphinxes dating back to around 1795.

Operated by the Birmingham Museums Trust since 2012, Soho House hosts exhibitions reflecting both local and community interests and has served as a platform for artists-in-residence like Vanley Burke and Pauline Bailey. While the house now charges admission, entry remains free for those under 16, and the gardens and visitor facilities are open to all at no charge.