National Coal Mining Museum for England facts for kids
National Coal Mining Museum
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| Former name | Yorkshire Mining Museum |
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| Established | 1988 |
| Location | Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England |
| Type | Heritage centre |
| Collection size | Over 45,000 |
| Visitors | c. 110,000 (2019/20) |
The National Coal Mining Museum for England is a super cool place where you can learn all about coal mining! It's located at an old coal mine called Caphouse Colliery in Overton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. The museum first opened its doors in 1988 as the Yorkshire Mining Museum. It became a national museum in 1995, meaning it's really important for the whole country!
Contents
Welcome to the National Coal Mining Museum!
This museum helps you discover the amazing history of coal mining in England. You can explore what life was like for miners and see the huge machines they used. It's a fun and educational day out for everyone.
A Look Back: The Museum's History
The Caphouse Colliery, where the museum is now, started digging for coal way back in the 1770s or 1780s. Another part, called Hope Pit, opened in the 1820s. These mines were very busy for many years.
Some of the old buildings you can still see today are very old. The boiler house, which made steam to power machines, was built around 1876. The tall chimney and the building for the steam winding engine are also from that time.
The colliery was taken over by the government in 1947. It finally closed down in 1985. Just a few years later, in 1988, it reopened as the Yorkshire Mining Museum. It became the National Coal Mining Museum in 1995. Sometimes, the museum staff have asked for better pay, showing how important their work is.
What You Can See and Do at the Museum
The museum is packed with exciting things to see and do. You can go on an underground tour, explore galleries, and even meet some special animals!
Go Underground: A Miner's Life
One of the most exciting parts is going on a guided tour deep underground. You get to wear a hard hat and lamp, just like real miners! Down in the mine, you'll see how dark and tight it was. You'll also learn about the tools and machines miners used as mining changed over time. It's a unique way to experience what their work was really like.
Explore Above Ground: Galleries and Fun
Above ground, the museum is huge, covering about 45 acres. There are more than a dozen galleries to explore. These galleries show you the history of mining and the lives of the people who worked in the mines. You can see old photos, tools, and learn about mining communities.
The museum also has a big library with old books and newspapers about coal mining. You can see original buildings like the pit head baths, where miners washed after work. There's also a steam winding house and a coal screening plant.
A fun "paddy train" connects different parts of the museum site. You can also walk along a nature trail through the woods. In 2015, a special Miners Memorial Garden was opened to remember those who worked in the mines. In 2017, a large mining-themed adventure playground was built, which is great for younger visitors!
Meet the Pit Ponies!
Since the 1990s, the museum has been home to pit ponies and other horses. These animals used to work in the mines, helping to pull coal wagons. In 2021, a new, interactive Pony Discovery Centre opened. It's a great place to learn all about these amazing animals and their role in mining.
The museum is also part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. This means it's recognized as an important place for showing Europe's industrial past.
Amazing Mining Machines
The museum has a collection of different types of railway locomotives. These are the engines that used to pull coal wagons and equipment around the mines. You can see various kinds, including those powered by batteries, diesel, and even old steam engines. They show how technology changed in the mining industry.
Finding the Museum
The museum is located on the A642 road, near Middlestown, between Wakefield and Huddersfield. It's easy to find, with signs from the M1 motorway. You can get there by car or by public transport. The museum is sometimes shown on TV shows, especially those about family history or mining culture.
See Also
- Rhondda Heritage Park and Big Pit National Coal Museum in the South Wales Valleys
- National Mining Museum Scotland
- Listed buildings in Sitlington
Images for kids
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An old diesel engine from the colliery.
