The Black Country became a great iron making centre because here all the necessary raw materials were close to hand beneath the ground. It was the smoke from the thousands of furnaces and chimneys that gave the Black Country its name in the middle of the nineteenth century. This area was renowned throughout the world for its production of iron and steel goods, including chains of all sizes, nails, tubes, forgings, rolled products and castings.
The cast iron exhibition in the iron houses shows how iron was made and its many uses. In the Castlefield Ironworks many of the ironworking processes of the area can be found. At the chainshop there is a demonstration of chain making by hand, the workshop is typical of many in the area. Compare this with the Anchor Forge and its big steam-driven hammer. Some of the cottage workshops were demolished to make way for industry on a bigger scale.
| Reference: | 509 |
| Keywords: | Raw Steel Rolling Mill Chains Nails Forgings Anchor Forge MCOL BCLM |
| Archive Ref: | Museum Guide Book 2001 |
| Updated: | 11/9/2001 13:52:25 |