I.A.Recordings
Industrial Archaeology

Site Feature: The Lock Museum

This site is an important industrial museum. Willenhall in the West Midlands of England has been the centre of the British lock industry for 400 years. In the sixteenth century, Willenhall was granted the privilege of making all locks for government use. Today, famous names such as Yale, Squire and Union are still busy in the area and some small specialist firms have also survived.

In 1985, The Lock Museum, a National Museum in all but name, was created in a house with a typical Victorian backyard workshop. As well as static displays in the gaslit house, the visitor can experience something of the living and working conditions of a 19th century lockmaker and his family. Lock making skills are demonstrated by volunteers using original tools and equipment such as fly-presses, blacksmith's hearths and belt-driven machinery.

The original works manufactured bar padlocks for South America and barge padlocks for canal boats. The family firm employed one or two locksmiths, but the family were expected to help when trade was busy! Finished locks were varnished in a japanning oven.

All the images on this page are taken directly from Compilation No.33
"West End Locks, Willenhall Lock Museum & Other Works".

There are many other I.A.Recordings compilations on the theme of lock making. Also see the production "Hand Made Padlocks".

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Last modified 31/1/99