Exhibition: Unlocking the Vaults

Monday to Saturday, 08:00 - 17:00. 

Please note that our café closes at 16:00.

Free admission.

Set within the former safe deposit facility beneath The Exchange, this free exhibition explores how the Birmingham Municipal Bank shaped everyday life in Birmingham. Discover personal stories, original archives, photographs, objects and oral histories that reveal the experiences of employees, customers and local communities across generations.

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Unlocking the Vaults brings together the outcomes of our recent major heritage project, including research undertaken by local volunteers and community partners. Highlights include Petticoats Reloaded, an oral history project by artist Elly Clarke, and Thrift Radiates Happiness, a community photography project developed with photographer Jo Gane.

What you'll discover

• Original Birmingham Municipal Bank records, artefacts, and photographs
• Oral histories from former employees and customers
• Contemporary photography created through community collaborations
• Aspects of Birmingham's social and financial history
• Opportunities to share your own reflections on saving, money, and community

Come and uncover the stories hidden beneath The Exchange and explore how the experiences of previous generations continue to inform conversations about money, belonging and everyday life in Birmingham.