Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron facts for kids
The Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron is a fascinating place to visit in Shropshire, England. It's one of ten amazing Ironbridge Gorge Museums and is found in the village of Coalbrookdale. This area is super important because it's known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. That was a time when new machines and ways of making things changed the world! The whole area is even a World Heritage Site, which means it's recognized globally for its special history.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday, plus on Bank Holiday Mondays. When you visit, you can explore many cool things related to iron and its history.
Here are some of the highlights you'll find on display:
- The remains of the Old Furnace, which was a groundbreaking machine that used water power to melt iron.
- Lots of examples of ironwork used in homes and for decoration.
- The beautiful Boy and Swan Fountain, which was made by the Coalbrookdale Company for a huge event called the Great Exhibition of 1851.
- The unique Deerhound Table, designed by sculptor John Bell for the Paris International Exhibition of 1855.
- Some of the original cast-iron Coalbrookdale Cooking Pots. These pots were important because they helped Abraham Darby I get started in the iron business.
The Coalbrookdale site also has Enginuity, which is an interactive center where you can learn about design and technology. The historic Darby Houses are also just a short walk away.
Discover the Old Furnace
The Old Furnace is a really special part of the museum. This is where Abraham Darby I made a huge discovery. He figured out how to melt iron using coke instead of charcoal. This was a big deal because coke was easier to get and made iron production much more efficient.
In 1959, a company called Allied Ironfounders (who were connected to the original Coalbrookdale Company) dug up the Old Furnace site. They did this to celebrate 250 years since Darby first used coke to melt iron. This led to a small museum being created. Later, in 1970, this museum became part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, and that's how it became the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron.
The Old Furnace is a very important historical building. It's listed as a Grade I structure, which means it's of exceptional interest. In 2014, it received the 100th Engineering Heritage Award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. This award recognizes places that are important to engineering history.
