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 interesting place where you can learn all about coal mining! It's located at an old mine called Caphouse Colliery in Overton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. This museum first opened in 1988 as the Yorkshire Mining Museum. It became a national museum in 1995, meaning it's really important for showing England's mining history.
Contents
Exploring the Museum's History
The Story of Caphouse Colliery
Caphouse Colliery was a working coal mine that started way back in the 1770s or 1780s. Another part, the Hope Pit, began in the 1820s. Over the years, different owners ran the mine. Some of the old buildings you see at the museum today are very old. For example, the boiler house and its tall chimney were built around 1876. These buildings helped power the mine's machinery.
Later, between 1905 and 1911, wooden structures like the headgear at Caphouse were built. These were used to lift miners and coal in and out of the mine. In 1947, the British government took over all coal mines, including Caphouse. The mine kept working until it finally closed in 1985.
From Mine to Museum
After the mine closed, it was turned into a museum! The Yorkshire Mining Museum opened its doors in 1988. It quickly became popular and was given "national status" in 1995, changing its name to the National Coal Mining Museum for England. This means it's a really important place to learn about the history of coal mining across the country.
What You Can See and Do
Going Underground: A Miner's Life
One of the most exciting things to do at the museum is take a guided underground tour. You get to go deep into the old mine shafts! Here, you can experience what it was like for miners working in the dark, narrow tunnels. You'll see the tools and machines they used as mining changed over many years. It's a unique way to understand their tough jobs.
Above Ground Adventures
Above ground, the museum is spread out over a large area. There are many different galleries that show the history of mining and the lives of the miners and their families. You can see original buildings like the pit head baths, where miners washed after work, and the steam winding house.
The museum also has a special train called a paddy train. This train used to carry miners and now takes visitors between different parts of the museum site. There's even a nature trail and a special area with reed beds that help clean water, which is also a great spot for bird watching!
New and Exciting Features
The museum has added lots of cool things recently. In 2015, a Miners Memorial Garden was opened to remember those who worked in the mines. A huge mining-themed adventure playground was built in 2017, which is perfect for younger visitors. The main visitor area, with shops, cafes, and learning spaces, has also been improved.
Since the early 1990s, the museum has been home to pit ponies. These are horses that used to work in the mines, helping to pull coal wagons. In 2021, a new interactive Pony Discovery Centre opened. Here, you can learn all about these amazing animals and their role in mining history.
Amazing Collection of Machines
The museum has a fantastic collection of old mining equipment, especially trains! These trains were used both underground and above ground to move coal and supplies.
Different Types of Locomotives
The museum has many different kinds of locomotives (train engines). These include:
- Battery Electric Locomotives: These trains ran on electricity from batteries, often used in narrow underground tunnels.
- Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives: These engines used diesel fuel and hydraulic systems to move.
- Diesel Mechanical Locomotives: Similar to diesel hydraulic, but with a different type of gearbox.
- Steam Locomotives: These are classic steam trains, powered by burning coal to heat water and create steam.
You can see many examples of these powerful machines that were so important to the mining industry.
Finding the Museum
The museum is easy to find! It's located on the A642 road, between the towns of Wakefield and Huddersfield. You'll see signs for it from the M1 motorway. You can get there by car or by using public transport. It's a great day out for families and anyone interested in history!
See also
- Rhondda Heritage Park and Big Pit National Coal Museum in the South Wales Valleys
- National Mining Museum Scotland
- Listed buildings in Sitlington
