Derby Museum of Industry, UK, Derby Resort
Rating: 7,6/10 (400 votes)  Derby Museum of Industry - Museum of industry and history of the British city of Derby. It was opened in 1974. The development of the railway industry, the products of Rolls-Royce PLC are especially well covered in the exposition of the museum. It also covers mining, foundry, ceramics. The museum often hosts temporary thematic exhibitions and educational programs.
The museum is housed in a former silk factory, the first of its kind in the Derwent Valley. In 2001, the museum was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The factory was built in 1702-1717. designed by architect George Sorokold. The factory was innovative at that time: instead of spinning wheels, silkworms were used here, brought from Piedmont by John Lombe. The factory was supposed to be a significant competitor to other similar industries, but the new machines required much more energy.
After the factory was sold to Thomas Wilson in 1739, it became one of the city's top tourist attractions. However, the factory evoked few positive emotions: noise, high temperature in the premises, sick workers. The silk production at the factory was stopped in 1908. The new owner decided to manufacture sticky insect traps and cough lozenges here. In 1910, a severe fire broke out in the factory, as a result of which the eastern part of the building collapsed into the river. The factory building was rebuilt, from a five-story building to a three-story building. The fire in the factory was captured by the artist Alfred John Keane. In the 1920s. the factory building was used by the Electricity Authority, which housed its workshops, shops and a canteen.
In 2011, the Museum of Industry in Derby was closed in order to save money, but the authorities promise to open it as soon as possible.
   We also recommend reading Museum Ship”Great Britain” in the UK, Bristol Resort Topic: Derby Museum of Industry, UK, Derby Resort. |
