The Restoration of The Forge Museum
The Forge Museum and its two neighbouring cottages, Horseshoe Cottage and Forge
Cottage were bequeathed by Deed of Gift to The Hertfordshire Building
Preservation Trust in 1988.
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1957 |
1986 |
The Forge and its cottages needed some repairs. Although the blacksmith room had
not been used in many years, much of the former blacksmith’s equipment had been
left behind. With its rich survival of artefacts, the forge was seen as a great
opportunity for the creation of a living history museum in Much Hadham. Past
blacksmiths had even branded their initials on the doorframe of the blacksmith’s
room.
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The blacksmith room in 1986 with its surviving equipment and the branded
initials on the doorframe. |
Phase 1
Between 1989 – 1991 the first stage of the forge’s restoration took place. This
included rebuilding the roof of the shoeing room, replacing its timber plates
and weather boarding; repairing the exterior fabric of the blacksmith’s room and
restoring its interior.
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| 1986 the shoeing room and the blacksmith’s room |
1990 during works to the roofs of the shoeing and blacksmith’s rooms |
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1991 the interior of the blacksmith’s room and shoeing room after restoration
works
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The restoration work at The Forge Museum also including the garden, which was
bought back to life by the summer of 1993.
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The garden at the forge museum in 1986 and 1993
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Phase 2
In 2002 The Forge Museum’s two neighbouring cottages, Horseshoe Cottage and
Forge Cottage, underwent a series of works. This second phase included repairs
to their roofs, and to the brick sills and floors inside Forge Cottage.
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2002 front elevation of Forge Cottage and Horseshoe Cottage during restoration |
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2002 the interior floor of Forge Cottage |
Phase 3
There are currently plans for a third stage of restoration works to The Forge,
including the provision of greater education facilities. This is part of an
ongoing project for The Forge Museum to ensure its continued survival as a local
history museum. The
Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a grant of £342,500 to the Trust, owners of
The Forge Museum in Much Hadham and the Museum is due to open again later this
year. Architect for the project is
Kirby Cove Architects,
and the contractors are
Ekins & Co. Ltd.
For more information contact telephone the Curator of the museum, Cristina
Harrison, on 01279 843301.
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