Fron Haul — Quarrymen's Houses

Travel through time when you visit our terrace of quarrymen's houses that recapture significant periods from the slate industry.

Start your visit inside No.4 Fron Haul, where the film ‘Stories in the Stones’ tellsthe tale of the houses, the people who lived in them and the process of dismantling and rebuilding them here in the museum.

This house is also used for interactive learning facilities for schools and familiesat certain times of the year.

No. 3 Fron Haul recaptures Tanygrisiau in 1861 – the ‘Golden Age’ - a village thatgrew as a consequence of the development of the area’s quarries. Children were often made to share rooms or beds with their parents. A blanket draped from the ceiling would act as a partition during the night - an attempt at privacy!

In 1901, about 500 men returned to work and became known to the rest of the community as “Bradwyr”, meaning traitor or blacklegs. Cards were placed in the windows to say that no traitor lived in the house.

No. 2 Fron Haul recreates Bethesda in 1901 during the time of the Penrhyn Lockout(1900 -1903) - one of the longest running disputes in British industrial history.

On 22 November 1900, due to a disagreement about pay, 2,800 men walked out of PenrhynQuarry. About 1000 quarrymen never returned. Money was very scarce for striking families and food was in short supply – note the bread on the table! In 1901, about 500 men returned to work and became known to the rest of the communityas “Bradwyr”, meaning traitor or blacklegs. Cards – like the one you see in this house- were placed in the windows to say that no traitor lived in the house.

Get a taste of Llanberis in 1969 in No.1 Fron Haul - the end of an era. In its heyday(1850 -1910) Dinorwig employed more than 3,000 men and supplied slate to all parts of the world, but during the 1950s and 1960s the industry declined. In July 1969, Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle on a dais of Dinorwig slate.A month later, Dinorwig Quarry closed.

Electricity has now reached the terrace – notice the television, the fire, the lighting and the record player! Other things have improved as well – there’s a bath and a toilet in this house!