Site of late 19th century foundry, Mildmay Ironworks, Foundry Lane (EHER 15291)
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Summary
Now demolished. Mildmay Ironworks, Booth and Brookes Ltd, founded in 1899 as Palmer and Booth and closed in 1980. The site was famous for casting piano frames.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TQ 9480 9643 (218m by 109m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH, MALDON, ESSEX |
Type and Period
- IRON FOUNDRY (Late 19th century to Late 20th century - 1899 AD (throughout) to 1980 AD? (throughout))
- CHIMNEY (Late 19th century to Late 20th century - 1899 AD (throughout) to 1980 AD? (throughout))
- MACHINE SHOP (Late 19th century to Late 20th century - 1899 AD (throughout) to 1980 AD? (throughout))
- PATTERN SHOP (Late 19th century to Late 20th century - 1899 AD (throughout) to 1980 AD? (throughout))
- OFFICE (Late 19th century to Late 20th century - 1899 AD (throughout) to 1980 AD? (throughout))
- ENGINE HOUSE (Late 19th century to Late 20th century - 1899 AD (throughout) to 1980 AD? (throughout))
Description
Mildmay Ironworks, Booth and Brookes Ltd, founded in 1899 as Palmer and Booth. <1> <2>
March-April 1997. Iron Foundries in Essex survey.
It made a range of implements, including precision internal parts for pianos. Founded in 1899 as Palmer and Booth, the works stood on the edge of the town, beside the railway. It was a brick-built complex comprising foundry, machine shop, pattern shop, offices and engine house; the latter being located on the South side of the foundry/machine shop containing a 50 hp gas engine and 100 hp oil engine. The foundry has been demolished and a modern industrial estate now occupies the site. <3>
The firm of Booth and Brookes Ltd (until 1907 Palmer and Booth) was established in 1899 at the newly built Mildmay Ironworks in Burnham. The firm was a general iron foundry producing a wide range of casting from stove parts to architectural panels, and during World War I grenades and aircraft parts. However they were best known for the production of piano frames and at one time or another supplied nearly all the famous piano manufacturers. The Company was dissolved in 1980. <4>
NRHE data transfer:
Mildmay Ironworks. Established 1899. A group of detached buildings founded by Palmer and Booth and now owned by Booth and Brookes. The foundry itself is the oldest part, some brickwork being original, but cupolas are modern and the attached engine-house is now a pattern store. A late Victorian foot-operated jigsaw machine (disused) by W.F and J Barnes, Rockford, Ill. USA, survives above offices. The firm is famous for casting piano frames. <5>
Finds
Sources
- <1> SEX40561 DESC TEXT: Booker, J.. 1971. Burnham-on-Crouch, Mildmay Ironworks. Record card ERO TZ 193-2.
- <2> SEX53888 Report: Medlycott, M.. 1999. Burnham-on-Crouch Historic Town Project: Assessment Report.
- <3> SEX53922 Report: Garwood, A.. 1997. Iron Foundries in Essex.
- <4> SEX76484 Collection: Essex Record Office. Business Records. D/F 42.
- <5> SEX1399 Bibliographic reference: Alderton, D. and Booker, J.. 1980. The Batsford Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of East Anglia.
Related Events (1)
Other References
- Old SMR Number: TQ99NW
- NRHE identifier: 925245
- National Monuments Record: TQ 99 NW 28