Welcome to the Industrial Heritage Networks and Support website. This site is maintained and updated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust who run the project and the networks. We aim to support industrial heritage in England through networking, information exchange, guidance, and training. Please explore the website and please contribute! For more information you can … Read more Welcome to the IHNs website!
During the 19th and early 20th century industrial companies provided housing and community facilities for their workforce, demonstrating both philanthropy and good business sense. Essex has a number of examples of this which will be celebrated on 13th September, as part of Heritage Open Daysat Silver End village.
Silver End Heritage Society and the Essex Industrial Archaeology Group are running the celebration day with talks, walks, and displays exploring the company housing of Silver End village, built by the Crittall family who manufactured metal window frames. Details on the events and how to book the tours are below.
The grade II listed Paradise Silk Mill, Macclesfield, Cheshire, is now open following a programme of restoration. This means that the guided tours around the historic 19th century silk mill are also back up and running. Each tour is led by one of the museum’s expert guides sharing their own individual take on aspects of Mill life. Pre-booking is reommended but but you can get tickets on arrival.
The Silk Museum will also be developing and expanding its resources for creative engagement over the coming months, thanks to an award of £165k from the Arts Council England’s Capital Investment programme. The Museum will be able to transform the building’s accessibility, increase sustainability and lessen its overall environmental impact. A Jacquard Studio will be created, improving storage facilities, and creating better access to the remarkable collection of Pattern Books. The award will also increase creative opportunities for artists by supporting co-curated displays inspired by the museum’s collections, as well as allowing more work with community groups with special needs, visual impairment, and low cultural engagement.
Guided Tour Details:
When: Wednesdays to Saturdays at 11am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm BOOK HERE Where: Come to the Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield, SK11 6TJ. Cost: £11.50 per adult and £10.50 concessions
Industrial Heritage Networks 