Image shows several workers standing outside the gates to Poole Foundry. Image credit: Gary Norman
Poole Museum’s latest exhibition honours the faces, stories and craftsmanship of Poole’s Foundry workers, 40 years on from its closure.
This evocative collection captures an important piece of Poole’s industrial history, paying tribute to the people who made the foundry their life’s work.
‘Men of Iron’ began in 1985 as a student project led by Geoff Drury from Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design, who tasked his students with capturing the foundry’s operations, its robust machinery, and the dedication of the people who worked there.
The project took on a profound significance when the foundry, a longstanding ironworks located next to St. James Church in Poole’s Old Town, announced it would close its doors in 1985. The resulting photographs became an endearing tribute to the men and women at the heart of Poole’s industrial heritage.
Forty years on, Poole Museum is bringing this historical collection back to life at Lighthouse, Poole, in an exhibition that captures the heart and soul of the community.
Alongside the photographs, Poole Museum will display artefacts from the foundry, including protective gear, castings, and moulds used daily by the workers, and Poole Museum volunteers have been interviewing the original photographers for a selection of oral histories included as part of the exhibition.
The exhibition is free to enter between 10am-8pm when Lighthouse is open, with visitors advised to check before travelling.
Poole Museum will be holding a series of bookable events including dementia friendly tours, curator talk and tours, and a creative writing workshop. For more information on ‘Men of Iron’ and to book a ticket to one of the events, please visit www.poolemuseum.org.uk/men-of-iron
Occasionally private events may take place within the Gallery meaning that general admission is not possible. To avoid disappointment, please check before you travel by calling 01202 781000.