Haig Colliery Mining Museum facts for kids
Haig Colliery Mining Museum was a special place in Kells, England. It was built on the site of Cumbria's very last deep coal mine. This museum, located on cliffs above Whitehaven, helped people learn about the history of coal mining. Sadly, it closed in January 2016 because of money problems.
History of Haig Colliery
The museum was created by volunteers. Their goal was to keep the history of local mining alive. They also wanted to provide a community space. The museum was set up inside the old winding engine house. This building became a protected historical site in 1998. One of the huge steam engines that used to lift coal was even made to work again! Many old tools and items were on display. They showed what life was like for miners and their families.
People started digging for coal in Whitehaven a very long time ago, around the 1200s. Monks from St Bees Priory helped open the first coal mines at Arrowthwaite. This long history of deep coal mining in Cumbria ended in March 1986. That's when Haig Colliery, the last deep coal mine in the area, finally closed.
Mining was very dangerous. The mines often had a lot of gas, which could cause big explosions. Over 1,700 people, including men, women, and children, lost their lives in the Whitehaven mines. They were digging for coal in tunnels that went up to four miles out under the sea in the Solway Firth. Haig Colliery itself had serious problems with gas explosions in the 1920s. It is believed that fourteen miners are still within the old mine workings to this day.
The Mine Building
The mine building was very large. It stood out in the Kells Industrial Estate. It had tall chimneys, working lifts, and conveyor belts. These were all used to move the coal.
How Coal Was Moved
There is a path behind the building called 'The Wagon Road'. In the 1800s, when coal mining was very busy in North West England, coal wagons used this road. They would go down the wagon road to reach the train tracks. From there, the coal was taken into the town centre. It was then loaded onto trains or ships at Whitehaven harbour. At that time, Whitehaven harbour was one of Britain's main ports.
Why the Museum Closed
The museum closed for repairs in 2014. After a big renovation that cost 2.4 million pounds, it reopened in February 2015. The museum attracted more visitors than they expected, over 15,000 people. However, it still faced financial problems. Because of these money issues, the museum closed its doors permanently in January 2016. Today, some of the old buildings are used by West Cumbria Mining. This company is drilling for coal off the coast of Cumbria.
