A CENTURIES old hill farm will be carefully dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt at a North museum.

Work to take down the Weardale farm and move it to Beamish Museum will begin this summer and details of the project and how the public can get involved will be shared at a community event tomorrow (Saturday, May 21).

Spain’s Field Farm, in Eastgate, County Durham, has been donated to Beamish, The Living Museum of the North by the Jopling family.

The upland farm will tell the story of North East rural life the 1950s and is part of the £17million Remaking Beamish project, which also includes plans for a 1950s town and Georgian coaching inn.

Spain’s Field Farm was occupied until the late 1950s, although was used infrequently until the 1970s.

Some sections of the building date back to the 1700s but most are from the 19th and early 20th century.

Beamish has been carefully surveying and recording the farm, which is in a declining state, and work to deconstruct the building is due to start this summer.

The museum will host a free event at Stanhope Community Centre on Saturday, May 21, from 11am to 3pm, where people can find out more and discover how they can get involved.

It will also include a tea dance with music from John Beaty, 1950s games and crafts, a 1950s farm kitchen, 1940s tractor, Weardale farming photos and refreshments.

Lisa Peacock, Remaking Beamish project officer (community participation), said: “We’re really looking forward to this community event in Stanhope.

“We hope lots of people can come and join us to enjoy the music and activities, and find out more about the Spain’s Field Farm project and how they can get involved.”

Beamish Museum has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a £10.75million grant for the Remaking Beamish project, with a decision on the funding expected later this year.