Coal Mining

The coal mining collection at Amgueddfa Cymru comprises two thirds of all mining collections held by museums in Wales and form by far the most comprehensive record of the Welsh coal mining industry.

The collection comprises:

• The preserved Big Pit Colliery, Blaenafon, including the winding house, canteen, pithead baths and blacksmiths’ shop, and underground workings such as underground stables, recreated coal faces and haulage engine houses.
• The preserved Big Pit Colliery, Blaenafon, including the winding house, canteen, pithead baths and blacksmiths’ shop, and underground workings such as underground stables, recreated coal faces and haulage engine houses.
• Hand tools from the early 1800s through to the virtual demise of the industry at the end of the twentieth century. These include mandrels (coal picks), sledges, hatchets, shovels and hand saws.
• A comprehensive collection of mine lighting from candle holders to electric cap lamps with particular emphasis on flame safety lamps. Of particular interest are late nineteenth Davy, Clanny and Marsaut lamps including lamps recovered from the Abercarn and Albion colliery disasters.
• Mines Rescue and first aid equipment.
• A collection of coal mining trade union items covering both the South Wales Miners’ Federation and the NUM South Wales Area. The Museum holds a large collection of trade union badges relating to the 1984-85 Miners Strike, including a rare badge produced by the police.
• Miners’ clothing including safety boots and helmets and clothing, the latter mainly dating back to the mid-1960s.
• Bravery awards including Albert, Edward, RSPCA, St John and Humane Society medals.
• A large photographic collection covering all aspects of the coal mining industry, and including the important John Cornwell collection.
• A library consisting of coal-related bound volumes and pamphlets

Coal Mining

Ceri Thompson

Curator (Coal)

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