Become a Patron of
The IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUM TRUST
With your help we can protect the heritage of the Industrial Revolution and inspire the next generation
Charity Ref. No 503717-R
The spirit of the Industrial Revolution
Barrie Williams Chairman of
The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
The Ironbridge Gorge was once called
‘the most extraordinary district in the
world’ by Charles Hulbert in 1837 and
I believe that this expression is as true
today as it was then.
The Board of Trustees and I are very proud of the outstanding
charitable work that the Museum undertakes to protect and
conserve the buildings and monuments under our care,
along with the world class educational activities that it
delivers across the ten museums.
We have enjoyed the generosity of many different individuals
and institutions over the last 50 years, enabling the Trust to
bring new life to former derelict buildings and monuments
and to create one of the world’s largest independent museums.
With your help as a Patron, we can ensure that the industrial
heritage of the Ironbridge Gorge is protected for future
generations and that Ironbridge continues to be regarded as
‘the most extraordinary district in the world’.
Front cover Engraving, hand coloured View of the Upper Works at Coalbrookdale,
in the County of Salop by Françoise Vivares, 1758 (IGMT)
Cast Iron Bridge near Coalbrookdale by William Williams, 1777 (IGMT)
Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution
The Ironbridge Gorge is known as the Birthplace of
the Industrial Revolution. This reputation has been
earned as a result of the technological and industrial
breakthroughs that took place here during the first
decades of the eighteenth century. The daring and
pioneering developments from this period have had a
long and lasting impact on our modern world.
In 1709 Quaker ironmaster Abraham Darby I perfected a
revolutionary technique of smelting iron with coke instead
of charcoal. From this moment the flame of industry burned
bright in Coalbrookdale, where over the next century new
innovations in engineering, metallurgical technology, and
manufacturing were developed. Created to demonstrate the
ingenuity of the Coalbrookdale Company, the Iron Bridge
was opened in 1781 and still stands today as testament to
the pioneering spirit of the Coalbrookdale ironmasters.
During the nineteenth century, the Ironbridge Gorge was
known worldwide for its breadth of industry. Within the
Gorge, some of the world’s finest iron, tiles, porcelain, and
pipes were manufactured. Individuals from around the globe
came to visit the area to learn the latest methods of
production and see the many industrial innovations such as:
the first iron wheels and rails, the first iron bridge, the first
steam powered locomotive and the world’s first iron boat to
name but a few.
Today, Ironbridge Gorge is a World Heritage Site and attracts
visitors from across the globe, who are keen to explore the
ten museums operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum
Trust and discover how this small corner of Shropshire
started the Industrial Revolution that was to change the
world forever.
Historic crafts in action Blists Hill Victorian Town
How it all began: The Ironbridge Gorge Museums
Industrial Heritage had little or no value in the public’s
mind until the late 1960s. Until that time, industrial
buildings were often left to decay and the stories of
the men and women who worked in them were almost
forgotten.
In 1967 a group of industrial conservation enthusiasts
established the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and
volunteered their time and money to begin saving the iconic
monuments in the Ironbridge Gorge.
This passion, enthusiasm and philanthropic spirit is still at
the heart of the Trust; now a fully independent education and
heritage conservation charity and a world authority on the
conservation and interpretation of this revolutionary chapter
in world history.
Today, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust runs 10 museums
that collectively tell the story of our industrial past. The Trust
cares for 36 historic listed buildings and monuments, an
arboretum, two Quaker burial grounds, and has amassed
nationally Designated collections. These include the Thomas
Telford collection, Coalport china, decorative tiles, historic
costume, and it has created one of the world’s most
comprehensive industrial heritage libraries and archives.
‘To experience is to understand’
Each year approximately 500,000 visitors are welcomed by
the Museum, including 70,000 children in organised school
visits. These students take part in workshops, activities and
hands-on demonstrations, for which the Museum holds four
Sandford Heritage Education Awards.
The Trust also keeps alive the trades of the Industrial
Revolution. Trained staff and volunteers practice and pass
on traditional skills in iron casting and rolling, candle making,
blacksmithing, tin smithing, animal husbandry and drapery.
The historic traditions of ceramic and decorative tile
manufacture still thrive here today.
Breathing new life into historic buildings Jackfield Tile Museum
How to become a Patron
Complete the application form below and return it to: Freepost TF307, The Fundraising Department, Ironbridge Gorge Museum
Trust, Coach Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford, Shropshire TF8 7DQ
Your Patronage
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Your Support
Please tick which payment option you have chosen
Annual Single Patron £250
Annual Joint Patrons £400
If you would like to make an additional gift to the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust in order to further support our heritage
conservation and education work, please specify the additional amount you are donating £........................................................
Please specify which aspect of the Museum you would like your additional donation to support:
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on the DD MM YYYY If donating by Direct Debit please complete the Direct Debit Instruction included, and return
with this completed form to the Freepost address.
Help make your support go further by allowing us to claim Gift Aid. Complete the declaration below and the Ironbridge Gorge
Museum Trust can claim 25p back on every £1 given.
GIFT AID is reclaimed by the charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year.
I want to Gift Aid my donation and any donation I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Limited
I confirm that I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for the current year (6 April to 5 April) than the amount
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Please notify The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust if you: want to cancel this declaration, change your name or home address, no longer pay sufficient tax on
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With your help we can ensure the story continues
Whilst visitor income contributes towards the
operational costs of the museums, our extensive
portfolio of historic monuments and listed buildings
is in constant need of costly, specialised care and
conservation.
The Museum recently spent over £75,000 to repoint a
single Bottle Kiln at Coalport China Museum and the costs
to protect and conserve Bedlam Furnaces will approach
£1 million.
The deterioration of any of these industrial landmarks would
leave a huge gap in the world’s understanding of the
Industrial Revolution and its cultural significance.
With your help we can ensure that this rich heritage is
protected and continues to inspire the 70,000 students
who take part in educational workshops and activities every
year and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to
discover how this small corner of Shropshire changed the
world for ever.
Cast-iron Boy & Swan Fountain in front of Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron
How can you help?
Becoming a Patron is a fantastic way to show how
much you care about the remarkable industrial
heritage that can be found in the Ironbridge Gorge
World Heritage Site.
Membership Benefits at a Glance
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In return for your annual gift, you will be able to enjoy a
range of exclusive benefits that are only available to Patrons.
You will be able to visit all 10 museums as often as you
wish, along with free car parking each year. You will also
benefit from a 25% discount off any Annual Passport Tickets
or Single Site Tickets that you purchase for your guests,
along with a 10% discount in our shops and off evening
event tickets.
You will have the opportunity to take part in exclusive behind
the scenes talks and tours, led by our curators and museum
experts.
You will also be invited to attend special exhibition openings
and the annual Patrons’ Reception.
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Invitation to new exhibition openings
Invitation to Annual Patrons’ Reception
for Patron plus 1 guest
Invitation to special events, for example curator-led
behind the scenes tours
Free daytime access to all museums
25% discount off tickets to any museum site for
accompanying guests. Terms and conditions apply.
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Free car parking
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Optional acknowledgement on IGMT website
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10% discount off evening special event tickets
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10% discount off shop purchases and
20% during November and December
Subscription to IQ magazine
Patrons’ Prices
Annual Single Patron £250
Annual Joint Patrons £400
To become a Patron please visit www.ironbridge.org.uk
or complete and return the enclosed application form.
If you would like to make a more substantial gift,
or remember the Trust in your will, please contact
our Fundraising Manager on 01952 435900 or email
[email protected]
Your business can help too
Antelope decorative tile panel by William de Morgan, 1880s.
Mr John Scott kindly donated his tile collection, along with the financial resources
for it to be conserved, displayed and enjoyed by future generations, at
Jackfield Tile Museum.
The Museum works with many different businesses,
from small start-ups to large international companies,
on a variety of different projects, including Corporate
Patronage.
If you think that you your business could help us
with financial support, gifts in kind or corporate
volunteers, please get in touch.