Forge Mill Needle Museum facts for kids
The Forge Mill Needle Museum is a cool place in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. It shows how people used to make things during the Industrial Revolution. Queen Elizabeth II opened it in 1983. This museum teaches us that during Victorian times, Redditch was super important for making needles and fishing tackle. In fact, it once made 90% of all the needles used around the world!
A Look Back: The Mill's History
People were making needles in the Redditch area as early as 1639. The building where the museum is now was first an iron forge. But in 1730, it changed into a special mill. This mill was used for "scouring" needles, which means cleaning and polishing them.
In 1870, the mill got even more modern. It started using steam power to help with the work. The mill kept making needles until it finally closed in 1958. At its busiest time in the 1870s, this area produced about 3.5 billion needles every year. That was almost all the needles made worldwide! The Forge Mill reopened as a museum on July 5, 1983. Queen Elizabeth II herself came to the opening ceremony.
What You Can See: Museum Collections
Inside the museum, you'll find models and scenes that look just like how things were. They show you exactly how needles were made a long time ago. The museum also has special shows, demonstrations, and workshops. These teach you how needles were used in the clothing industry.
Making needles was a complicated job, with about 30 different steps. These steps are still the same today! You can see lots of old needles and fishing hooks on display. Some of these were even made for a big exhibition back in 1924. The museum building itself is very old. It's a water-powered scouring mill from the Victorian era. It's the only one of its kind still working in the world!
The museum also keeps records about families who worked in the needle trade. These records are for people who want to learn about their family history. You can ask to see them if you visit.
The museum is located very close to the old ruins of Bordesley Abbey. This abbey was built way back in the 12th century.
