The Industrial Revolution
The Iron Bridge has become one of the most recognisable symbols of the Industrial Revolution. It represents a period of social and economic change brought about by imagination and innovation. The landscape and communities of the Ironbridge Gorge have been shaped by the industries established here during the 18th and 19th centuries. By visiting the museums within this area, children studying the Industrial Revolution will develop a deeper understanding of the economic importance of the period and the effect of such rapid growth that heavy industry had on society.
Coalbrookdale
Coalbrookdale is the historical heart of the Ironbridge Gorge. The ironmasters and workers of the Gorge were at the forefront of the revolutionary developments of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The original blast furnace where Abraham Darby I successfully smelted iron ore with coke instead of charcoal in 1709 is now preserved opposite the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron. The developments which followed, are examined within the Museum itself, grouped around a large model showing Coalbrookdale in 1805, when the ironworks were at their most influential internationally. The top floor of the Museum is devoted to a special 1851 Great Exhibition display showing examples of the decorative cast iron work Coalbrookdale became famous for during the 19th century. Objects from all these periods as well as information about all the major innovators, including the Darby dynasty, are on display.
 The Quaker Connection
Close to the Museum of Iron are two of the houses built by the Darby family in the early 18th century. Dale House contains Abraham Darby III's study from where he supervised the building of the Ironbridge. Rosehill House is furnished in a mid Victorian style and concentrates on the domestic and religious story of the later Darbys. Both houses contain furniture, paintings and personal belongings of the Darby family. Due to the size of both properties, visiting groups are limited to a maximum of 12 pupils at a time in each house.
Further up the hill from the Darby Houses is the Quaker Burial Ground where prominent members of the Society of Friends are buried.
The Victorians
 The Victorian period (1837-1901) was one of great social and economic change in Britain. There is no better way to gain a broad understanding of this fascinating period of history than to visit the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. A number of our museum sites have resources available to help your pupils gain insight into urbanisation, public health, education and the revolutionary changes in transport.
Working Life/Working Community
At Blists Hill Victorian Town costumed demonstrators undertake domestic chores; washing and cooking as well as small trades such as printing and candle making. The changing industrial landscape can be investigated through the remains of three blast furnaces and a stretch of canal and an inclined plane. Industry is also represented by brick-making demonstrations and at the Foundry, where iron is cast every Wednesday.
Life in the Factories
Broseley Pipeworks is a small factory opened in 1881 and remaining unchanged since it closed in the 1950's. The site can be used to investigate working conditions and attitudes to public health alongside a study of manufacturing techniques. (Access for school groups is limited. Please phone for further details).
Working conditions can also be studied in detail in the workshops and social history gallery at Coalport China Museum.
The Museum of the Gorge provides an insight into Victorian ideas regarding Public Health through displays on pollution and waste management.
Jackfield Tile Museum is housed in an original, purpose built factory, opened in 1874. The remaining buildings can help explain how these huge Victorian factories worked.
Economic History
 Two types of iron formed the basis of all engineering during the Industrial Revolution until steel became more widely available at the end of the 19th century. Blists Hill Victorian Town has a fully equipped wrought ironworks that rolls iron and a small foundry which casts iron every Wednesday (please telephone for details).
A visit to the Coalport China Museum or Jackfield Tile Museum will help children understand the factory system and explore the ideas of the division of labour, mass production and the effects these had on the workers.
The Tar Tunnel gives an opportunity to see how the natural resources of the Gorge influenced the economy of the area. The tunnel was dug to connect the canal to the mines at Blists Hill but the bitumen that was discovered proved to be more lucrative. (Visits are restricted to 12 students at a time and hard hats are provided). |
