Webster and Horsfall 300 Years of Continuous Innovation
The history of local firm Webster and Horsfall is told through archive material, watercolours by Arthur Lockwood and objects from our Science and Industry collection.
Webster and Horsfall were responsible for manufacturing the wire for the first successful transatlantic cable in 1866.
The free exhibition tells the story of the local family business, based in Hay Mills, which has been at the heart of steel wire and rope manufacturing in Birmingham since 1720. The history of the company is told through Webster and Horsfall archival material and a selection of Birmingham’s collection of watercolours by Arthur Lockwood.
Lockwood was renowned for his industrial watercolours of Birmingham and the Black Country. He documented the changing city through his work and depicted vivid scenes from local factories, including that of Webster and Horsfall. Birmingham Museums acquired over 700 watercolours and sketches from the artist as part of the Lottery-funded Collecting Birmingham project. This is the first time his paintings will be on display and will be a celebration of Lockwood’s work following his death in 2019.
Objects from Birmingham’s science and industry collection, and loans from Webster and Horsfall, will delve further into Birmingham’s industrial past. Visitors will also see examples of the transatlantic cable which revolutionised communication between the UK and the USA.
Webster and Horsfall products can be found as component parts of just about every item manufactured in Birmingham in the 18th and 19th centuries. From bike seats to paper clips, cables to steam engines, Webster and Horsfall is woven through the fabric of Birmingham’s manufacturing history.
Visit the exhibition to find out more about the company and the workers who have made it such a success in the city for 300 years.
Image: Machine 59 (1997) © Arthur Lockwood.
Further details can found here https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on/webster-and-horsfall-300-years-of-innovation
30 Jan – 4 Oct 2020
Monday – Thursday 10am – 5pm
Friday 10.30am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am – 5pm
This event is free
For full details please visit www.whgroup.org
300 Years of Innovation Archives – Webster & Horsfall (Holdings) Limited
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- Manufacturer showcases innovative past 14th April 2020A specialist wire manufacturer is marking its tercentenary by showcasing its innovative past, writes Jessica Brookes. Since its establishment in 1720, Webster & Horsfall, based in Hay Mills, has been developing wire and wire rope used in a plethora of objects, from World War II bicycles to teeth braces. Webster & Horsfall were the first to […]
- Exhibition of paintings to celebrate 300 years of business 6th February 2020A new exhibition of paintings by renowned Birmingham artist has opened to celebrate 300 years of a family-owned firm. The exhibition of work by Arthur Lockwood, which opened at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) on Thursday, is helping to celebrate 300 years of history for family owned firm Webster & Horsfall. The free exhibition, […]
- Region’s proud manufacturing history celebrated in new exhibition at BMAG 3rd February 2020A new exhibition of paintings by renowned Birmingham artist Arthur Lockwood, which opened at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) on Thursday, is helping to celebrate 300 years of history for family owned firm Webster & Horsfall. The free exhibition runs from Thursday 30 January to Sunday 4 October, and features artefacts from the company’s […]
- Region’s Proud Manufacturing History Celebrated In New Exhibition 1st February 2020A new exhibition of paintings by renowned Birmingham artist Arthur Lockwood, which opened at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) on Thursday, is helping to celebrate 300 years of history for family owned firm Webster & Horsfall. The free exhibition runs from Thursday 30 January to Sunday 4 October, and features artefacts from the company’s […]