Locksmith's House facts for kids
 |
|
| Location | Willenhall, England |
|---|---|
The Locksmith's House is a special museum in Willenhall, England. It used to be known as the Willenhall Lock Museum. This museum shows you what a typical family business was like long ago. Many families in Willenhall made locks in their homes and backyard workshops.
Contents
A Look Inside the Locksmith's House
The house itself was built way back in 1840. But the rooms inside are set up to look like they did in 1904. This was when the Hodson family, who made locks, first lived there.
How Locks Were Made
At the museum, friendly volunteers show you how locks were made. They use the same old tools and machines that people used over a hundred years ago. You can see a big floor press and machines powered by belts. It's like stepping back in time!
When the Museum Opened
The Lock Museum first opened its doors to visitors in 1987. Since 2003, the Black Country Living Museum has owned and managed it. They help keep this important piece of history alive.
The Historic Buildings
The house, its workshops, and other buildings are very old and important. English Heritage gave them a special "Grade II listed" status in 1984 and 1986. This means they are protected because of their history.
Workshops in the Yard
There are two main workshops in the yard. One is a two-story building on the east side. The other is a single-story workshop on the west side. This smaller building was once a "stamping shop." These workshops were where all the lock-making magic happened!
The Hodson Family Business
The Hodson family had a lock-making business called Richard Hodson & Sons. They started it way back in 1792! John Hodson took over the business in 1893. Later, his son Edgar continued the family tradition.
What They Made
The Hodsons were really good at making certain types of locks. They specialized in "bar padlocks." They also made "lighter locks." These lighter locks were used to keep cargo safe on barges.
Sending Locks Around the World
The different parts of the locks were made and put together in the two-story workshop. Once the locks were finished, they were brought into the yard. From there, they were loaded onto carts. These locks could travel all over the world! They were sent by train or through the huge Midlands canal network. Then, they would go to coastal ports and onto ships. Hodson locks were even sent as far away as South America!
The Drapers' Shop
From the 1920s, the front room of the Locksmith's House was a small shop. Edgar Hodson's two sisters, Edith and Flora, ran it. It was a "drapers' shop," which means they sold fabric and clothing items.
A Glimpse into the Past
This shop, called The Hodson Shop, stayed open until 1971. When it closed, all the clothes and fabrics that weren't sold became a special collection. Now, Walsall Museum takes care of them. They help us learn about what working-class people wore a long time ago.
The Lock Gallery
Inside the museum, there's a special area called the Lock Gallery. Here, you can see all sorts of different locks and keys. Many of these cool items were made right there in Willenhall. It's amazing to see how many different ways people found to keep things safe!
