Museum of Bath at Work
Camden Works
Julian Road
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2RH
England
Website
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/BathAtWork
Telephone
01225 318348
Fax
01225 318348
This is the fascinating story of a local family firm. Mr Jonathan Burdett Bowler started his business in Bath in 1872 He described his trade as Engineer, Brass Founder, Gas-fitter, Lock Smith & Bell hanger. He made and repaired soda water machinery and also ran a fizzy drinks factory making such sumptuous concoctions as Orange Champagne, Hot Tom, Bath Punch and Cherry Ciderette. When Mr Bowler's grandson retired in 1969 the business closed. But remarkably it had survived up until then with its original antiquated machinery, Victorian gas light, and nothing remotely useful.
Here at the Museum of Bath at Work, Mr Bowler's factory has been saved and lovingly recreated, an intriguing corner of the city's industrial past. Wander through the rooms past the shop counter; through the Dickensian office, to the foundry, the machine shop, the carbonating plant and recall the atmosphere of a bygone age, when Mr Bowler or one of his large family would have tackled any job great or small - repairing a beer engine here, mending a pony harness there, casting a replacement part for a newfangled motor car, making gas-lit illuminations for Queen Victoria's Jubilee and, of course, putting the fizz into a myriad sparkling bottles of pop.
You'll also find reconstructions of a Bath Stone quarry face and a local cabinet-making workshop, both important aspects of the city's history. Upstairs is a cafe and shop where you can buy gifts, books and postcards. A visit to the Museum of Bath at Work gives you a chance to learn about working Bath in Victorian times, a story far removed from the elegance and gossip of the pump room. There is something here for all the family, for young and old, for visitor and resident alike.
Venue Type:
Museum, Industrial heritage site, Heritage site
Additional info
Library,study and collections available by appointment only.
Camden Works
Julian Road
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2RH
England
Website
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/BathAtWork
Telephone
01225 318348
Fax
01225 318348
Collection details
Trade and Commerce, Social History, Science and Technology, Land Transport, Archives, Industry, Archaeology
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object identification and/or written enquiry service
- Public access available to collections information
- Specialist publications on collections available
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Camden Works
Julian Road
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2RH
England
Website
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/BathAtWork
Telephone
01225 318348
Fax
01225 318348
Repairing War Torn Bath
The Bombardment of Bath in April 1942 resulted in over 19,000 homes and buildings being damaged or destroyed. This exhibition looks at the emergency work undertaken to save and repair those buildings, and powerfully illustrates the impact of war on the architecture of Bath.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
Free with admission.
Camden Works
Julian Road
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2RH
England
Website
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/BathAtWork
Telephone
01225 318348
Fax
01225 318348
Costumes and objects trail
Come and try on our new children’s stonemason and servant costumes, and hunt for unusual objects around the museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Bulding of Bath Collection
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Costumes and objects trail
Come and try on our new children’s stonemason and servant costumes, and hunt for unusual objects around the museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Bulding of Bath Collection
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Costumes and objects trail
Come and try on our new children’s stonemason and servant costumes, and hunt for unusual objects around the museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Bulding of Bath Collection
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Costumes and objects trail
Come and try on our new children’s stonemason and servant costumes, and hunt for unusual objects around the museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Bulding of Bath Collection
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Make a Marquetry pattern
Create a decorative picture using card in contrasting colours, inspired by the intricate designs of the 18th century.
Suitable for
- 5-6
- 7-10
- 11-13
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
11am-1pm
Where
Museum of Bath at Work
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Costumes and objects trail
Come and try on our new children’s stonemason and servant costumes, and hunt for unusual objects around the museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Bulding of Bath Collection
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Costumes and objects trail
Come and try on our new children’s stonemason and servant costumes, and hunt for unusual objects around the museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Bulding of Bath Collection
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Costumes and objects trail
Come and try on our new children’s stonemason and servant costumes, and hunt for unusual objects around the museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Bulding of Bath Collection
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Costumes and objects trail
Come and try on our new children’s stonemason and servant costumes, and hunt for unusual objects around the museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Bulding of Bath Collection
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Costumes and objects trail
Come and try on our new children’s stonemason and servant costumes, and hunt for unusual objects around the museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Bulding of Bath Collection
Admission
Family events are free with normal admission. Free admission for Discovery Card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Museum Theatre presents 'The Nero Affair' & 'The Ha'penny Falls'
The year is 1877. ‘The Halfpenny Bridge’ at Widcombe has collapsed killing eleven people. And if that was not bad enough, somewhere across the town somebody is planning to murder….a dog!
The Nero Affair: A tour of the Museum for a thrilling piece of costume theatre. You will meet the main suspects, hear their testimonies and at the end you will have the chance to decide who the murderer was.
The Ha’penny Falls: Overcrowding led to the collapse of the footbridge in June 1877. Who were the people on the bridge? Where were they going? Who, if any, was to blame? Relive this momentous event with ensemble, multi-role story telling at it’s best. You’ll be surprised at what you didn’t know.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
11am-3pm
Where
Museum of Bath at Work
Admission
Free with admission
The Museum Theatre presents 'The Nero Affair' & 'The Ha'penny Falls'
The year is 1877. ‘The Halfpenny Bridge’ at Widcombe has collapsed killing eleven people. And if that was not bad enough, somewhere across the town somebody is planning to murder….a dog!
The Nero Affair: A tour of the Museum for a thrilling piece of costume theatre. You will meet the main suspects, hear their testimonies and at the end you will have the chance to decide who the murderer was.
The Ha’penny Falls: Overcrowding led to the collapse of the footbridge in June 1877. Who were the people on the bridge? Where were they going? Who, if any, was to blame? Relive this momentous event with ensemble, multi-role story telling at it’s best. You’ll be surprised at what you didn’t know.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
11am-3pm
Where
Museum of Bath at Work
Admission
Free with admission
Camden Works
Julian Road
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2RH
England
Website
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/BathAtWork
Telephone
01225 318348
Fax
01225 318348
Camden Works
Julian Road
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2RH
England
Website
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/BathAtWork
Telephone
01225 318348
Fax
01225 318348
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