Events and Open Days Talks Celebrating John Smeaton 2024 is the 300th Anniversary of the birth of John Smeaton (1724-1792). The father of civil engineering, Smeaton's inventions for mills, canals and more changed our site, the River Lea and the world. Our volunteers have been diving into our archive to research Smeaton's connection with the Royal Gunpowder Mills. They have prepared a fascinating talk about the significance of his work, which has been presented at some of our open days. We may also be able to offer this to groups on request. Manage Cookie Preferences