Outside visit to Nottingham Industrial Museum

26th May 2022 Nottingham Industrial Museum, outside visit

The Nottingham Industrial Museum is a volunteer-run museum situated in part of the 17th-century stables block of Wollaton Hall, located in a suburb of the city of Nottingham. The museum won the Nottinghamshire Heritage Site of the Year Award 2012, a local accolade issued by Experience Nottinghamshire. The Museum collection closed in 2009 after Nottingham City Council withdrew funding, but has since reopened at weekends and bank holidays, helped by a £91,000 government grant, and run by volunteers.  The museum contains a display of local textiles machinery, transport, telecommunications, mining and engineering technology. There is a display of cycles, motorcycles, and motor cars. There are examples of significant lace-making machinery. It also houses an operational beam engine, from the Basford, Nottingham pumping station.

Our 17 members were reminded of the history of famous names, for example, Raleigh, Brough, Players, Boots, Humber, and Reader. Also we saw the collection of working steam, diesel engines, Victorian kitchen, blacksmith’s forge and woodworking shop.  Christopher Lilliman – Director and our Guide manages the museum, and with the help of volunteers sets up events, and made our visit special.