"The General"
This old office building, all that remains of the extinct steelworks, has a name which well suits this very dignified structure, and comes not, as you may imagine, from military parlance, but just "the general offices."
Home to the Gwent Archive, the Steelworks Museum and hopefully many more attractions in the future, including a
3-D cinema, this building appears very grand by today's standards, for 'just' a steelworks office block. Well worth a visit if you love architecture and old buildings, as it has been very sympathetically restored, both inside and out, and recently visited by the Queen on her recent visit to Wales.
A grand staircase greats you as you enter the main entrance, with arches and floors which would grace a country mansion.
The Steelworks Museum
Staffed by volunteers, mainly retired steelworkers, this museum, consisting of two rooms, is stuffed with photographs, memorabilia and memories of the old works and how things used to be.
Arriving with very little previous knowledge of the area, I found the enthusiasm contagious, making me want to know more about the site and its previous inhabitants.
Records for the site go back to 1640. At that time there were both salmon and sewin in the river Ebbw in Ebbw Vale. Who knows, we may see them again now the heavy industry has gone. The works first opened in 1790 and closed in 2001. In October 2010 the Steel Works Museum took up residence at The Works.
This is a wonderful resource for anyone wishing to investigate steelworks for whatever purpose.
The Gwent Archive
Previously the Gwent Records Office, it stores records for the counties of Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly. In this state-of-the-art facility, records of national as well as local importance are protected and preserved.
Anyone wishing to research their family tree, or local history are welcome, but it is suggested that a phone call is made first to ensure a table is available.
Anyone with documents they feel would be of interest to others, and should be preserved for posterity may offer them to the Archive.
The Archive are in the process of digitising the collection, and volunteers are always welcome to help with this task.
www.theworksebbwvale.co.uk/?force=en
www.ebbwvalearchives.talktalk.net/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebbw_Vale
This old office building, all that remains of the extinct steelworks, has a name which well suits this very dignified structure, and comes not, as you may imagine, from military parlance, but just "the general offices."Home to the Gwent Archive, the Steelworks Museum and hopefully many more attractions in the future, including a
3-D cinema, this building appears very grand by today's standards, for 'just' a steelworks office block. Well worth a visit if you love architecture and old buildings, as it has been very sympathetically restored, both inside and out, and recently visited by the Queen on her recent visit to Wales.
A grand staircase greats you as you enter the main entrance, with arches and floors which would grace a country mansion.
The Steelworks Museum
Staffed by volunteers, mainly retired steelworkers, this museum, consisting of two rooms, is stuffed with photographs, memorabilia and memories of the old works and how things used to be.
 |
| A splash of molten ironfrom the furnace floor now art |
Arriving with very little previous knowledge of the area, I found the enthusiasm contagious, making me want to know more about the site and its previous inhabitants.
 |
| Bell from the original general offices |
Records for the site go back to 1640. At that time there were both salmon and sewin in the river Ebbw in Ebbw Vale. Who knows, we may see them again now the heavy industry has gone. The works first opened in 1790 and closed in 2001. In October 2010 the Steel Works Museum took up residence at The Works. This is a wonderful resource for anyone wishing to investigate steelworks for whatever purpose.
The Gwent Archive
Anyone wishing to research their family tree, or local history are welcome, but it is suggested that a phone call is made first to ensure a table is available.
Anyone with documents they feel would be of interest to others, and should be preserved for posterity may offer them to the Archive.
The Archive are in the process of digitising the collection, and volunteers are always welcome to help with this task.
 |
| The typist who used this machine would be amazed at the computers of today.
|
www.ebbwvalearchives.talktalk.net/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebbw_Vale
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