Case Study - Jackfield Tile Museum and Factory

Programme: Heritage Grants
Applicant: The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Limited
Grant awarded: £2,000,000
Project length: Oct 2004 – Jan 2006

Jackfield Tile Museum and Factory, printable (MS Word, 536KB)

Summary

The Jackfield Tile Museum is one of ten independent museums which form the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT). The museum is based in a Victorian tile factory which was derelict when acquired, but by 2004 IGMT had restored most of it except for Grade II* clay storage arcs, and an unlisted mill.

This project enabled IGMT to restore the remaining structures so that visitors were at last able to see the complete story of tile manufacture. Also included in the project was new, custom-built storage for the National Collection of Architectural Ceramics and Tiles, with extra exhibition and education space, and museum offices.

The restored mill generates income for the museum by accommodating craft workshops and The Conservation Centre, which provides training in conservation. The workshop craftspeople produce ceramics using modern techniques, which they demonstrate to the public.

The aims of the project

To complete the restoration of the Jackfield Tile Museum site and to provide new-build accommodation for exhibitions and museum offices
To complete the interpretation of tile making, and to double capacity for learning groups
To provide better storage and access for the National Collection of Architectural Ceramics and Tiles and install a new Conservation Training Centre
To ensure the future of the site by providing commercial space for craft workshops

Benefits for heritage

Important essential elements of a Victorian tile factory have been conserved
The restored buildings and new exhibitions enable visitors to appreciate the complete story of the tile-making process
The Conservation Centre provides specialist training in ceramics conservation
The National Collection of Architectural Ceramics and Tiles, which is used as a conservation reference, has better storage and new remote access
Modern craft skills have been encouraged by the provision of craft workshops
The income from the mill ensures the long term maintenance of the buildings

Benefits for people

Access to, and interpretation of, the complete tile making process
Improved education facilities: 5285 learners a year use the new education space
Opportunities for volunteering increased: two more volunteers now work at Jackfield
Demonstrations by local craftspeople enhance the visitor experience
Students in conserving ceramics have access to specialist expertise
Local craftspeople have workshop space and can showcase their products
Researchers have better personal, and new remote access to, the Tile Collection

Lessons learnt

To allow more time than you think for the planning process: IGMT dealt with European funding bodies which worked to their own timescales

Long term benefits

The completion of restoration work has allowed the entire tile making process to be interpreted, increasing the visitor appeal of the site and enhancing its future viability
The Conservation Centre supports future professional conservation expertise

The budget

Main Project Costs	£	Funding	£
Repairs and restorations	1,532,818	Cash from organisation	69,700
Building (new build, car parks, landscaping)	1,691,970	Other grants / cash	1,724,871
Archaeology	83,416	HLF grant (53%)	2,000,000
Staff	24,000
		Total costs	3,794,571

Visitors examine a tile mural in the Long Gallery at the museum

Sector

Industry, Maritime and Transport

Activity

Conservation; Participation