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Open 24 April to 26 September, 2010 a host of children's activities! |
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Incorporating Mill
Discover the science and history surrounding gunpowder and other explosives.
These mills (L157), built in 1861, were the prototype for the line of gunpowder incorporating mills that stretches along Queen Meads. Each unit of this Grade 1 listed building was T-shaped with originally two, and later three, mills on either side of a central engine house. There was a boiler room at the rear, a chimney (now demolished) and a coal yard.
The engine house contained a steam-powered beam engine which drove the edge runners in all six bays of each individual incorporating mill.
Gunpowder ingredients after being blended in the mixing house were placed in the pan of the incorporating mills. The large steel wheels (edge runners) would then run over the mixture for hours until the ‘green charge’ had turned to a ‘mill cake’.
Shortly before World War I, the building was altered to produce cordite, when the workforce increased to about 5,000 (with over half being women). The Incorporating Mill was again converted after the Second World War, this time into offices and research areas under the various Ministry of Defence establishments, which operated until the site closure in 1991.
Since 2001, visitors have been able to see the drive shaft, in one of the mill bays (that was uncovered in the L157 restoration) that once operated the mills from the beam engine. Another bay houses a full size replica of Gunpowder Press. Two more bays now house the Gunpowder Plot Exhibition, having been transformed into useable spaces for education and living history activities, thanks to a grant from The Mercers’ Company, help from volunteers and many other supporters. The Rocket Exhibition, reflecting the more recent scientific and research work, is located in the rear wing of the building.
Takes approximately 10 mins
Full size replica of Gunpowder Press in Incorporating Mill (L157)
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© 2009 Royal Gunpowder Mills |  |
Registered Charity No. 1062968 |  |