Wortley Top Forge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wortley Top Forge |
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Wortley Top Forge
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| General information | |
| Location | Wortley, South Yorkshire |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 53°29′41″N 1°33′29″W / 53.494669°N 1.557946°W |
| Designated: | 30 July 1952 |
| Reference #: | 1018262 |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated: | 18 March 1968 |
| Reference #: | 1018262 |
Wortley Top Forge is a very old ironworks and museum in South Yorkshire, England. It's located near the village of Wortley, right by the River Don.
This special place used to be a "finery forge." This is where raw iron was made into stronger, purer iron. People have been working with iron here since the 1300s!
Contents
History of the Forge
Wortley Top Forge has a long and interesting past. It was built around 1639, or maybe even earlier.
Early Days and Cannonballs
The forge was run by families like the Cottons. During the English Civil War, which was a big conflict in England, people say that cannonballs were made right here at Wortley Top Forge!
For many years, the forge was rented by different iron-making families. They often worked with another nearby forge called Wortley Low Forge.
New Owners and New Ideas
In 1744, John Cockshutt took over the forge. His family continued to run it for many years.
Around 1800, James Cockshutt, who had learned new ways of working with iron, came back to Wortley. He brought a new method called "puddling" to the forge. This was a way to make iron even stronger and more useful.
Making Railway Parts
By the 1850s, the forge changed what it made. Instead of just general iron, it started making parts for trains. They made strong shafts and axles for railway wagons.
Some of the first experiments in the world about how metals work were done here by a scientist named Thomas Andrews. The railway parts made at Wortley were so good, they were sent all over the world!
From Factory to Museum
The forge stopped making iron around 1912. But its story didn't end there!
Becoming a Museum
In 1955, Wortley Top Forge was reopened as an industrial museum. This was thanks to the hard work of C. R. Andrews and the Sheffield Trades Historical Society.
A man named Ken Hawley was a big part of saving and restoring the forge. He worked for over 40 years with volunteers to make it what it is today. His efforts were even recognized with an award!
How the Machines Work
What makes Wortley Top Forge extra special is that all its machines were powered by waterwheels. These huge wheels use the force of the river to make things move. All three waterwheels at the forge have been fixed and still work today!
The museum also has other old machines, like a large steam engine. It's a great place to see how people used to make things before electricity was common.
Important Recognitions
Wortley Top Forge is a very important historical site.
- The entire area is a "Scheduled Monument," which means it's protected by the government because of its historical importance.
- The main forge building is a "Grade I listed building." This is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in South Yorkshire
