Now in its 10th year, the World War Weekend on Saturday and Sunday 6 and 7 September, 2014, will feature a host of attractions for all the family.
They include displays and re-enactments involving the Home Guard, the Land Army Girls and French and British Resistance as well as a selection of civilian and military vehicles.
Bantock House played a crucial role as the Army communications centre for the West Midlands during the Second World War, and the World War Weekend will showcase this with a number of elements on the theme of communication.
They include a profile of local man Geoff Hanley who became a Voluntary Interceptor during the Second World War. He was one of hundreds of amateur "secret listeners" who monitored radio signals for the Secret Service. Their work included intercepting Enigma ciphers sent by the enemy which were then passed on to Bletchley Park.
Mr Hanley, whose story has been researched by Bantock House volunteers, also worked in innovative radio technology for the Admiralty during the First World War.
There was also a pigeonaire stationed at Bantock House during the Second World War, and a Royal Pigeon Racing Association exhibition will highlight the role of carrier pigeons in the 2 conflicts, while local pigeon enthusiast Tony Painter will be releasing birds throughout the World War Weekend - visitors will be able to enter a draw to have their messages sent.
The Wolverhampton Amateur Radio Society will give visitors the opportunity to try out their skills at Morse code, there will be an exhibition dedicated to famed US war correspondent Ernie Pyle, and visitors can see Letters Home, Bantock's current exhibition which showcases poignant letters written by soldiers serving on the front line during the First World War.
There will be music and comedy from Martin Barry throughout the weekend, while Daring Young Men will be entertaining the crowd with songs from the First World War. Guest singers Missfortunes will be entertaining the crowds on the Saturday afternoon and Laura Bill will be adding some wartime glamour to proceedings on the Sunday.
Alongside the Army medical tent packed with equipment from both World Wars, Roy Stallard will be talking about how Wolverhampton's hospitals helped provide innovative treatments for the war wounded.
Other attractions include information and sales stalls, while volunteers from the Black Country Echoes project will be sharing information about local post war industries they have been researching. Visitors can even have a makeover and their photo taken in Bantock's 1940s Room or have a "wound" created by a theatrical makeup artist.
Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: "The World War Weekend is always a tremendously popular event, and this year's event will take on extra significance as the nation marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.
"I am sure visitors young and old will learn plenty of fascinating things about Wolverhampton's involvement in both the First and Second World Wars."
The World War Weekend takes place at Bantock House Museum from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, 6 and 7 September, 2014. Entry is free.
Bantock House Museum is on Finchfield Road, Wolverhampton. For more information, please visit Type=links;Linkid=2112;Title=Bantock House Museum;Target=_blank; or call 01902 552195.
- released: Friday 29 August, 2014