If you’ve been to the museum recently or if you follow us online, you’re probably aware that our Power Hall is currently undergoing considerable restoration. It is one of the most beloved industrial heritage galleries not just in the city but in the whole country, and houses a large collection of working standing engines, the majority of which were built and/or operated in Manchester and the surrounding area.
When the Power Hall reopens, we want to tell our visitors more about the people who used the machines that kept Manchester’s industries, factories and businesses moving. To help with this, we would love you to share any stories you may have about the engines listed below.
This could be direct experience of working with the machines, the memories of someone they know who did, or photos of the engines and the people who worked with them. We want to put local people at the heart of the Power Hall’s story and talk about the individuals who helped to make Manchester an industrial powerhouse.
If you have anything you would like to share, please drop us an email at collections@scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk with Power Hall memories in the title.
Firgrove Mill
This engine was located in Milnrow, Rochdale, and the picture below shows Billy Hardwick, who we know ran the engine. We’d like to hear from anyone who knew Billy and could give us some more information about his life and work.
Science Museum Group Collection
Robinson gas engine
This type of engine was used in chip shops to peel potatoes and power fryers. We’d love to hear from anyone who worked in, or knows someone who worked in a chip shop with one of these engines.
Science Museum Group Collection
Crossley atmospheric gas engine
This was used to power a dough mixer in a local bakery, but we don’t know which one. Again, it would be fantastic to hear from anyone who worked with, or knows someone who worked with this engine and what the work in the bakery was like.
Science Museum Group Collection
Diagonal engine, made by John Wood
This engine was used at Frankenstein Rubber Regenerators in Newton Heath and it drove a calico printing machine.
Science Museum Group Collection
Vertical engine, made by John Chadwick
This one was used at Simplex Circulume, a lighting manufacturer in Salford. We’re looking for information about how it was used and anyone who worked with it.
Science Museum Group Collection
I spent many years working in the Education Department in the MSI. We worked with all the schools in Manchester and Salford together with many other groups. The qualified teachers taught in all the galleries.
In my earlier life I had been a Lancashire loom weaver and was able to operate the weaving looms in the Textile Gallery.
I used to go and watch the engine running and have a photo of the engineer with the engine. The last engineer to run the engine was Trevor Lees, I was a friend of George Watkins and Frank wight an, I also started the orthern mill engine society.