- Wikidata identifier:
- Q12053263
- Instance of:
- museum; independent museum; industry museum
- Museum/collection status:
- Accredited museum
- Accreditation number:
- 286
- Persistent shareable link for this record:
- https://museumdata.uk/museums/q12053263/
Collection-level records:
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Collection history (Collection development policy)
The collection was initially brought together by private individuals who were concerned that the history and heritage of the stationary steam engines that once powered the textile mills of Lancashire and Yorkshire was disappearing as the industry declined. A Society was established in 1966 and this was subsequently formally re-constituted as a company and charity in 1973, to whom all the assets were transferred. A museum was established in Bolton to display the collection of engines and other material as they were removed from mills when they were demolished or closed. This museum was itself demolished in 1991 as part of a wider site redevelopment but re-established in new premises in 1993.
Source: Collection development policy
Date: 2019
Licence: CC BY-NC
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Collection overview (Collection development policy)
The main collection consists of 27 steam and two internal-combustion engines manufactured between approximately 1840 and 1960. The collection demonstrates the development of the steam engine during the relevant period and includes examples of beam, horizontal, vertical, inverted vertical and diagonal engine types. All engines can be demonstrated working in steam from a boiler.
A ‘non-dead-centre’ inverted vertical engine built by John Musgrave and Sons of Bolton is believed to be a unique example of this type of engine anywhere in the world. A twin rotative beam engine is similarly considered to be rare, possibly unique, and a ‘McNaughted’ compound beam engine is the only working example in England.
The collection also includes approximately 2000 photographs, prints, negatives and slides; approximately 1000 engineering drawings; approximately 1800 books, catalogues, reports and other printed ephemera and 400 other items of plant and equipment (eg makers plates, instrumentation, models, tools and accessories).
Virtually all items have been either used or manufactured in the textile districts in the north of England, particularly Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Source: Collection development policy
Date: 2019
Licence: CC BY-NC