New exhibition shines light on previously unheard stories of workers in the Ironbridge Gorge

A new temporary exhibition by The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, telling the story of the lives of industrial workers in the Ironbridge Gorge from the 18th century until the present day launches on the 28 April in Coalbrookdale. The Daily Grind examines the often harsh conditions they worked in compared to modern standards, but also explores the brighter side of their lives provided by community, religion and leisure. 

The story of Ironbridge and the Industrial Revolution often revolves around the famous names of ironmasters, inventors, and entrepreneurs. Their stories are well known, but less attention has been placed on the lives of the workers. The Daily Grind explores the workers lives, who they were, the work that they did and the vital contributions they made to the Gorge’s world changing history.

From bone washers and moulders to pit girls and painters, this exhibition draws on The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’s extensive archive collections, including oral histories, diaries, and photographs, to turn the spotlight onto the lives and voices of the people who have worked in the industries of the Ironbridge Gorge from the early days of the 18th century through to modern day. 

One of the stories which features in the exhibit is that of John Peters. John Peters was a miner who worked for the Madeley Wood Company in 1808. The only things we know about John’s life are revealed through the diary entries of Elizabeth Poole, the mother-in-law of William Anstice, who was John’s employer. In a time when most workers were born locally and almost all were white, John Peters was Black. John was travelling from America when he was shipwrecked and was one of only four survivors who made their way to Liverpool, where he caught and survived smallpox. By July 1808 he had made his way to the Gorge where William Anstice employed him as a miner.  

As well as employing him, Anstice family invited John for dinner, they found him lodgings and they made him clothing. This was far from the typical treatment of their workers. However, according to Elizabeth, in August 1808 John was working when he found a woman stealing rope. He confronted her and, after a scuffle broke out, he was tied up by his fellow miners but was released by William Anstice. Elizabeth noted in her diary that she would find out what would happen to John the following day but she never mentions him again and there are no further identifiable records to reveal what happened to John. 

Abbie King, Chief Operating Officer at The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust said “This is a new exhibition which gives an insight into the complex lives of workers in the Gorge, revealed through diary entries, paintings, pictures and personal belongings with many of these on display for the first time.  We’re also pleased to have been loaned items for the exhibition from Merrythought Bears and Craven Dunhill who are still working within the Gorge, showing how even to this day the workers of Ironbridge are important to the heritage and culture of the area.”

The Daily Grind will be hosted in the Coalbrookdale Gallery, adjacent to the Museum of Iron from 28 April to 5 November with free entry and all welcome.

The Daily Grind is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.