July 2024

Gloucestershire Heritage Hub

Brass, boots and bikes - enjoy a visit to the Kingswood Heritage Museum

Housed within the main building, the Kingswood Heritage Museum holds a variety of enjoyable displays of local industries and social history of the area for all the family.  On the site there is the tower of the industrial windmill used, not to grind corn, but to drive the machinery needed for making brass. Kingswood was the first place in Europe to make good quality brass. You can also learn about other local industries such as pin making, coal mining and boot making.

   

Another local employer was the Douglas Motorcycle factory, situated in Kingswood and at one time in the early 20th century, the largest motorcycle factory in the world. 25,000 Douglas motorcycles were made for the military during the First World War and the Museum holds examples of some of the earliest Douglas `bikes and other items manufactured by the factory, including a Vespa scooter, made under licence in the 1950s, and fitted with a sidecar. 

You can also discover the early medieval history of the King`s Wood – used for royal hunting in the 12th and 13th centuries and learn about the lawless gangs who lived in the forest in the 19th century and the reformers including John Wesley who came to educate and convert them. There is a garden trail for you to enjoy and the Museum offers opportunities for learning and outreach and volunteering.

Further information is available here

Finally, the Museum is hosting a talk on the History of Bristol Zoo - September 11th at 6:45 pm - 9:30 pm. Martin Hall will be discussing the history of the zoo, the enclosures, when animals arrived, the gardens and the future of the Bristol Zoo Project at Cribbs Causeway and the Clifton site. The talk costs £4 including a hot drink.  To book a place call: 0117 960 5664 or email: kingswoodmuseum@gmail.com

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