Iron in Our Veins
In 1875, one-sixth of all the world’s iron was being produced in Middlesbrough, using ironstone mined locally. Iron was needed to build the machines, railways and ships that were transforming how we lived and worked at that time.
Skinningrove Mine, close to this museum, was the first ironstone mine to open here in Cleveland.
Ironstone impact
Cleveland’s ironstone industry only lasted about a hundred years, but it shaped the nation. The mines, factories, railways and bridges made a huge impact on our landscape and people.
Salt of the earth
‘The people there were real wholesome people, they were the real salt of the earth. They knew they had to work to earn their living... They worked hard.’
Eugene Hart, ironstone miner (recorded 2019) Eugene began work at nearby Kilton Ironstone Mine when he was just fourteen.