Industrial Heritage Networks

Museum Association Bids Farewell to the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

March 3, 2026mikenevell

The 2nd March 2026 marked the start of a new era within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, as the National Trust took over the 10 museums, 35 scheduled monuments and listed buildings, and 400,000 archives of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT). The museums closed for the last time under IGMT control on the 22 February, which was marked by a special parade and ceremony of staff, volunteers, and friends at Blists Hill open air museum, the final site to close on that day.

To celebrate 60 years of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, the Museums Association interviewed the Collections team for their thoughts on IGMT and its legacy. You can read the full article, and reminescences by Kate Cademan (Collections Curator) and Jo Smith (Registrar), here: https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/people/2026/02/bidding-farewell-to-the-ironbridge-gorge-museum-trust/#

The National Trust is planning a phased reopening of each site over the following months. The  anticipated reopening timeline is as follows:   

Museum of the Gorge and Toll House from late April 2026 
Blists Hill, Museum of Iron and The Old Furnace from mid-May 2026 
Enginuity from summer 2026 (school visits from April 2026) 
Coalport China Museum, Jackfield Tile Museum, Darby Houses, Tar Tunnel and Broseley Pipeworks will open later.

Further details here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/our-work/our-work-in-shropshire/ironbridge-museums

**Staff, volunteers, and friends gather at Blists Hill to say farewell to IGMT, on 22 February 2026.**

SAVE Britain’s ‘Heritage Buildings at Risk Register’ – Call for Entries

February 26, 2026February 25, 2026mikenevell

SAVE Britain’s Heritage has issued a call for nominations for historic buildings at risk which will be considered for their 2026 Buildings at Risk register. SAVE want to bring attention to historic buildings at risk across the UK.

They are interested in vacant or partially vacant historical buildings that are at risk from stalled projects, neglect or lack of action. Unlike some other risk registers, the building does not need to be listed to be eligible,l which means that many threatened industrial structures could be included. Their central aim is to raise awareness of these forgotten spaces and provide a platform to advocate for their retention and reuse.

To nominate a building:

Click on this link to the ‘Buildings at Risk’ register on their website
Check if your building is already on SAVE Britain’s Heritage Buuildings at Risk Register
If it’s not already on the Register, fill in a quick form with what you know including a (copyright-free) photograph and as much address information as you can.
You can also email your nomination to: amy.popham@savebritainsheritage.org

Historic Grimsby Maltings Conservation & Conversion Complete

February 24, 2026mikenevell

The transformation of the derelict Grade II-listed West Haven Maltings and Migar House in Grimsby into the Horizon Youth Zone has been completed. The conversion provides children and young people across North East Lincolnshire with access to sports, arts, music, and maker facilities. The multi-million-pound project officially opened on 14 February, blending heritage preservation with community use. Read more here.

Once abandoned and fire-damaged, the 19th-century site has been restored and repurposed thanks to support from the Architectural Heritage Fund via its ‘Transforming Places through Heritage’ programme. Other funders of the Horizon Youth Zone site included Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Youth Investment Fund, Evergreen Life, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, Ørsted and Greencoats Wind UK.

Horizon Youth Zone is an independent charity and is part of the OnSide network of 15 Youth Zones nationwide, which support over 50,000 young people annually.

Thelisted West Haven Maltings was constructed as a granary and office between 1821 and 1838. It was later converted for use as a maltings, with the addition of a kiln to the north elevation. Migar House was built as a grain warehouse with grain crushing capabilities between 1879 and 1887. The building remained in use as a maltings until the 1920s. After a period of abandonment and negelect the site was listed in 1975, although conservation works did not start until the 21st century.

*The Grimsby Maltings during restroation and conversion. Image copyright Historic England.*

Eskdale Mill & Heritage Trust Fund Raiser

February 20, 2026mikenevell

An online fundraiser has been set up to help the Eskdale Mill and Heritage Trust to raise funds to run community events and support their volunteers in sharing the mill with the public and local community in 2026.

Dating back to at least 1578, and located alongside Whillan Beck in Boot, Cumbria, the stone-built Grade II* listed Eskdale Mill demonstrates 500 years of water power and the traditional craft of corn milling. Last commercially worked during the 1930s to supply animal feed to local farmers, the mill still produces its own flour and has a modern hydro-electric waterwheel making it possible to continue to harness energy through water power. It is the last remaining working water-powered corn mill in the Lake District National Park.

Further details on how to donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/community-events-and-volunteering-in-2026?attribution_id=sl:db5ff4c1-225d-4850-a2ba-60db8108f385&lang=en_GB&ts=1770758294&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=twitter

Land of Iron Museum Looking to Recruit a New Museum Manager

February 19, 2026mikenevell

The Land of Iron is currently looking to recruit a new Museum Manager. They are seeking someone with a heritage background and an entrepreneurial mindset to lead their vision of being an asset to both the nation and the region.

Over the last 12 months, with support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Museum has created new jobs, strengthened its community outreach, and expanded lifelong learning initiatives. As a result of this investment, this is an exciting time to join the charity as Museum Manager.

Land of Iron is a visitor attraction and museum on the site of the first ironstone mine in East Cleveland, in the coastal village of Skinningrove. Visitors can experience the rich and fascinating history of the area, taking them back 150 years to the Industrial Revolution, when the area and its people supplied over a third of the world’s iron and steel.

Deatils on how to apply are here: https://landofiron.org.uk/opportunities/museum-manager

*Land of Iron Musuem, Cleveland. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.*

Free Heritage Carbon Webinars & Training for Industrial Heritage Organisations

February 15, 2026February 13, 2026mikenevell

Historic England continues to offer Heritage Carbon Literacy training, and free places on two new workshops: ‘How to Measure a Carbon Footprint’ and ‘How to Write a Carbon Reduction Plan’. Both are designed especially for heritage organisations, such as industrial sites, who are just starting out on their carbon reduction journey. Find out more and sign up here – https://historicengland.org.uk/education/training-skills/training/training-courses/carbon-reduction-training-for-the-heritage-sector/

Historic England has also published new guidance, factsheets, and resources to help cultural and heritage organisations develop Decarbonisation Plans for their heritage buildings. Developed by architects Haworth Tompkins through a co-funded Arts Council England and Historic England project, the free resources can be accessed here – https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/climate-change/your-organisation-to-net-zero/developing-a-decarbonisation-plan/.

To accompany the resources HE are running a series of free webinars in March and April to go through the different steps in the decarbonisation process. More information and booking links here – https://historicengland.org.uk/education/training-skills/training/training-courses/carbon-reduction-training-for-the-heritage-sector/

Finally, Historic England is delivering a series of Heritage Carbon Reduction webinars. These have been developed especially for the heritage sector as part Historic England’s programme of Carbon Reduction training to help organisations reduce their carbon emissions. Topics include ‘How to get Trustee buy-in for your carbon reduction plan’, ‘Tenant/Landlord collaboration in lowering emissions’, and ‘Soil emissions in archaeology’. Training on further topics will be announced later in the year. Everyone is welcome to attend these free training sessions. If you can’t make it recordings will also be available on the Historic England website. Booking links here – https://historicengland.org.uk/education/training-skills/training/training-courses/carbon-reduction-training-for-the-heritage-sector/

*Urban air pollution. Image copyright Historic England Archve.*

*Stormy seas crashing against a historic quayside. Image copyright Historic England Archive.*

The Exhibitions Group Awards 10 Grants to Improve Exhibition Accessibility

February 13, 2026mikenevell

The Exhibitions Group (TEG) has announced that ten Access Grants have been awarded as part of its pilot grant scheme to improve accessibility to exhibitions across the UK for disabled people. Amongst the recipients are Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust and Wakefield Museum and Castles.

The pilot scheme awarded grants of £1,500–£4,000 to support practical, meaningful work that advances access to exhibitions. The funded projects reflect the social model of disability, and support a wide range of access-focused activity, including co-creation with disabled people, accessible interpretation, physical adjustments, accessible programming, and staff and volunteer training.

The Exhibitions Group helps everyone involved in exhibition making to connect and create relevant, sustainable, diverse and accessible exhibitions with our training, resources, and networking opportunities.

More details here: https://theexhibitionsgroup.org.uk/news/the-exhibitions-group-awards-10-access-grants-to-improve-exhibition-accessibility/

AIA Events in 2026: Norwich Annual Conference

February 12, 2026February 12, 2026mikenevell

The Association for Industrial Archaeology’s (AIA) 2026 conference will be based at Norwich, England, from the 4th to 9th September. The East Anglian counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire have a rich history of Industrial Heritage including wind and water mills, maritime and port industries, agriculture, and the associated manufacture of agricultural machinery and food processing.

The 2026 programme will follow the usual format, starting on the Friday evening with an informal dinner followed by a talk introducing the Industrial Heritage of East Anglia. On Saturday there will be a full day of talks on local topics, presentations to and by award winners, and the Conference Dinner. On Sunday morning there will be AIA’s AGM followed by the Rolt Lecture. From Sunday afternoon until Wednesday lunchtime there will be a number of site visits across the three counties. Lunches, informal evening dinners and talks are included. Full details and booking will be available on the conference pages of the AIA website in due course. Recordings of the 2025 Bradford Conference are now available on the AIA YouTube channel.

For more information, including booking details, please visit the events pages of the AIA website.

*View of Carrow Works and the River Wensum, Norwich c 1870. The home of Colman’s Mustard (unknown artist). From the Norfolk Museums Collections*

South Wales & West England Regional Industrial Archaeology Conference 2026 (SWWERIAC) Open for Booking

February 6, 2026February 5, 2026mikenevell

The Worcestershire Industrial Archaeology & Local History Society (WIA&LHS) is hosting the South Wales & West England Regional Industrial Archaeology Conference (SWWERIAC) on Saturday 18^th April 2026 at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove B60 4JR.

Get set for a day of engaging talks from leading speakers and a chance to explore Avoncroft’s remarkable open-air collection. The museum, home to over 30 rescued and reconstructed historic buildings spanning seven centuries, provides a unique backdrop. Highlights include the UK’s National Collection of Telephone Kiosks, working historic windmill, and a selection of timber-framed, brick, and prefabricated structures including a chain shop, nail workshop, sawmill, and icehouse. This inspiring setting promises a rich blend of learning, discussion, and heritage discovery.

Tickets cost £28 per person and include:

Six speakers covering a wide range of industrial heritage in Worcestershire
Access to the museum’s entire collection
Two 30-minute dedicated tours of the telephone kiosk collection and windmill
Buffet lunch including cold meats, new potatoes, crusty bread, and a selection of salads and cheese
Unlimited hot and cold soft drinks
Free parking

Society chairman Dr John Beale said “Avoncroft is home to 30 historic buildings and structures across a 19-acre site. For this reason, we have scheduled a 2-hour lunch break so that delegates can see the museum exhibits either self-guided and/or the dedicated tours of the 19th century windmill and the National Telephone Kiosk Collection. This marks a departure from the traditional arrangement of offsite visits as there is so much to see at Avoncroft.”

Get your tickets by submitting an online or Microsoft Word booking form available at https://wialhs.org.uk/swweriac2026/ or contact conference@wialhs.org.uk

*Avoncroft’s National Collection of Telephone Kiosks. Image copyright WIA&LHS.*

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre & Museum Looking for Volunteers

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026mikenevell

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum, in Widnes, is seeking to expand its team of volunteers as part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund ‘Synergy Project’. The museum hopes to increase volunteer numbers from 24 to 70 by the end of 2027.

Heather Royle, volunteer coordinator at Catalyst, told Runcorn and Widnes World: “Our volunteers play a vital role in helping visitors have a memorable experience. There are so many different roles available, so there really is something for everyone. With all the exciting changes happening through the Synergy Project, this is a brilliant time to get involved.”

No previous experience is needed, and volunteers are only asked to give a couple of hours a week. Full training, coaching, and ongoing support are provided. Roles include helping with events and activities, engaging visitors through science “busking” in the interactive galleries, preparing workshops, supporting the café, and preserving the museum’s archives. Additional opportunities include helping maintain the historic 1860s building and welcoming visitors.

The Synergy Project will transform the museum’s ‘Birth of an Industry’ gallery into an immersive, interactive space bringing the story of the chemical industry to life. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Heather Royle at heather.royle@catalyst.org.uk for more information.