Shropshire Tourist Information and Visitor Guide

Museum of Iron

The Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire is known across the world as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, as in 1709 Abraham Darby successfully smelted iron with coke at Coalbrookdale, an innovation which led to iron-making on a massive scale, changing the way of living for millions of people and helping to create the modern industrial world. 

Three hundred years on, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum continues to protect and interpret the remains of the area’s rich industrial past and, throughout 2009, it will be holding a series of events and celebrations to mark the significance of Darby’s discovery and the amazing developments that took place here and across the world. 

The first major event will take place in July 2008 with a public archaeology programme scheduled to coincide with National Archaeology Week from 12 - 20 July 2008.  This major archaeological investigation in Coalbrookdale is intended to provide more detailed information about the workings of Darby’s original furnace, now known as the ‘Old Furnace’. On certain days the general public will be invited to participate in the excavation, in the less sensitive areas of the site, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. 

During 2009 Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron will be holding an exhibition of the new archaeological research that is uncovered around the Old Furnace, revealing more about how its evolution and operation pioneered modern iron making.  There will also be a dramatic and exciting programme of cast and wrought ironworking demonstrations at Blists Hill Victorian Town, plus expert-led tours, lectures and opportunities for visitors to try their hand at working with hot metal.

Other events will include an international conference, debating the world changing impact of the Industrial Revolution including its effect on the environment, a Science and Technology Fair at the Enginuity design and technology centre, a contemporary cast iron sculpture exhibition at Coalbrookdale and an all-iron spectacular event in and around the ironworks at Blists Hill, with iron rolling and casting among the activities to be demonstrated.

John Challen, Curator of Technology commented ‘This series of events will highlight the significance of the 1709 discovery to the world and tell the story of iron production in the Gorge in an exciting, informative and entertaining manner’.

An outline programme of some of the events is below, further details will be available shortly.

2008: Summer: Public Archaeology Programme (12 - 20 July 08)

The archaeological investigation of Darby’s original furnace will take the form of a series of test pits and trial trenches to provide information on the state of preservation of the bellows/blowing house, casting house, tailrace and water power features, as well as development of the building complex surrounding the furnace itself.  On certain days the public will be invited to take part in the actual excavation of less sensitive areas of the site.  An incident room will also be set up in the Museum of Iron to review finds and explain techniques.

2009: March: Enginuity Science and Technology Fair

A Science and Technology Fair will be hosted at Enginuity, focusing on many themes linked to 2009 including new materials, scientific innovation and new technology. 

2009: Spring: Coalbrookdale Gallery exhibition – Artistic responses to the Industrial Revolution and Highlights from the Elton Collection

An exhibition of highlights from the Elton Collection, plus additional key local works on loan. 

2009: 3 - 6 June: Fe09 Conference-

This international conference will explore the impact that the Industrial Revolution has had on society, the landscape and globalisation.

2009: June: Museum of Iron – New display on the significance of 2009.

Visitors will be able to learn from new archaeological evidence how the Old Furnace functioned and the significance of the year 2009.

2009: 25 – 26 July: Coalbrookdale Festival and Old Furnace Opening

Weekend of events including casting and the opening of a contemporary cast iron sculpture exhibition with input from UK and international artists.  Grand opening of revised interpretation and display of the Old Furnace.

 2009: Summer: Ironworks celebration and casting event at Blists Hill Victorian Town

An ‘all-iron spectacular’ at the ironworks, including iron rolling, iron casting in the foundry, small-scale smithing and casting. 

Celebrations will also be happening across the rest of the West Midlands, as 2009 also marks a variety of other significant anniversaries for some of the region’s greatest innovators. The year will mark 250 years since the Wedgwood factory was founded, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and William Penny Brookes (originator of the modern Olympic movement) and the 200th anniversary of the death of Matthew Boulton. Advantage West Midlands will be working with a variety of partners across the region to celebrate the important role that people from West Midlands have made to the making of the modern world over the last 300 years.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm; activities and workshops vary day-to-day, for further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 884 391 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).