National Wool Museum facts for kids
National Wool Museum
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | 1976 |
|---|---|
| Location | Drefach Felindre, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| Type | Industry museum |
The National Wool Museum is a special place in Drefach Felindre, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It's part of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, which means 'Museum Wales'. This museum teaches you all about the amazing history of wool in Wales.
Contents
The History of Wool in Wales
For a long time, the woollen industry in Wales was super important. It was even more important than coal mining! People spun wool and wove it into cloth. This industry was especially big in the Teifi Valley. This area was so famous for its wool that people called it "The Huddersfield of Wales."
Cambrian Mills: A Wool Factory Story
Building a New Mill
In 1902, a man named David Lewis built Cambrian Mills. It was built where a smaller weaving workshop used to be. The new mill made woollen cloth for workers in the coal and steel industries.
Working at the Mill
By 1915, about 100 people worked there. They made flannel, a soft wool fabric, for military uniforms during World War I.
A Fire and Rebuilding
In 1919, a fire broke out in the mill. It caused a lot of damage, costing about £20,000. One worker was very lucky! He was on the top floor when the fire blocked his way out. He climbed onto the roof and was rescued with a long ladder. Even though fewer people were buying woollen textiles, the mill was rebuilt.
From Factory to Museum
In 1965, the mill was put up for sale. Only 30 people worked there at that time. Then, in 1976, the building became a museum and opened to the public.
Visiting the National Wool Museum
A Special Heritage Site
Both the old mill building and the village of Drefach Felindre are now a national heritage site. This means they are important historical places. The museum first opened in 1976 as the Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry.
Modern Updates and New Displays
In March 2004, the museum reopened as the National Wool Museum. This happened after a big two-year project that cost £2 million. Part of the money came from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The museum now has a cool glass-roofed courtyard. There's also a new gallery that shows off a huge collection of textiles.
See Machines in Action
You can see old machinery at the museum. There's also a raised walkway. From here, you can watch textiles being made at Melin Teifi. This is a real working woollen mill right on the museum site!
Learning and Exploring
In 2005, a Research and Collections Centre opened. It has a special room for hands-on learning. This means you can touch and try things out yourself!
Part of a Bigger Plan
The museum's makeover was part of a £40 million plan for museums in Wales. Alun Pugh, the Culture Minister for the National Assembly for Wales, opened the new museum. This plan also helps other museums like the National Slate Museum in Llanberis and Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon. It also helped create the new National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.
