The aims of the Black Country Society are to promote and stimulate interest in the past, present and future of the Black Country with regard to historical, social, cultural and environmental matters; to promote a high standard of planning and environmental design and to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic interest in the Black Country.

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The Society was established in 1967 by Dr John Fletcher and Mr John Brimble at the Noah's Ark public house, Tipton. In 2017, the 50th Anniversary of the Society, a 'Blue Plaque' was unveiled above the front door of the public house.

The Society and its members are extremely proud to have, for over 50 years, supported, recorded, preserved and celebrated the distinct character and nature of the West Midlands area known since 1846 as 'The Black Country'.

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The question of what constitutes the Black Country is often asked, and is a subject of much controversy. Discussions of which areas are in and which areas are out can often get heated! The only point of agreement is that it does not include Birmingham. For one view by one of the Society's founders, click the button below. These days, the Society has the working definition that the Black Country includes the current boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell - but even this has the potential to be controversial.

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Our membership is mainly UK based but overseas society friends are welcomed and our aim is to to keep all members informed about the news, discoveries, stories and historical research carried out in the West Midlands area of the UK, known as 'The Black Country'.  Many BCS Members have family links to this area and an interest in the regions involvement through many kinds of trade, manufacturing processes and goods. Indeed, we are in the area of the UK where a unique combination of materials, resources, people and ingenuity came together to increase manufacturing output and create the Industrial Revolution (1760 - 1840) .

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The Society hosts and arranges many interesting talks, both face to face and online, walks and visits, both in the area and further afield to see how goods and products, manufactured and developed in the area, have benefited the lives of millions living in this country and overseas.

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The 'Blackcountryman' magazine is our flagship and if you prefer, you can sit in your most comfortable chair at home and be entertained, amazed and extend your knowledge from the published features and articles in the magazine. These features describe the extraordinary events, achievements, places and 'larger than life' characters of the Black Country. The magazine also contains the latest news about the society and its events, so you will always be up-to-date.

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