The history of Brymbo is a rich one, and this new exhibition at Wrexham Museum looks at this village through the eyes of artists, industry and society.
People and Places includes:
- An oil painting of John Wilkinson, original founder of Brymbo Ironworks
- An illuminated address and photograph album presented to Mr J H Darby, managing director of Brymbo Steel Works, in April 1908 by the management and workforce
- An original Brymbo Fire Brigade fireman’s helmet
- A rare surviving shell made by the Royal Ordnance from Brymbo steel
- Tools and equipment used by Walter Salisbury and his fellow foundry men at the steelworks and
- Silverware from Bethel Wesleyan Chapel, Brymbo.
The display also provided an opportunity to showcase the art works and sculpture of Brymbo Steel Works’ former employee, Ben Boenisch.
Mr Boenisch, a stalwart of the Wrexham & District Arts Association in the 1970s and 1980s, worked as the catering manager at the Steel Works, but the occasional dangers of the Electric Melting Shop and the rolling mill were nothing compared to Mr Boenisch’s wartime career: fighting the Wehrmacht following the German and Soviet invasion of his homeland, Poland, in 1939; escaping across war-torn Europe initially to France and then to Britain; before fighting with the Royal Artillery in Burma.
Councillor Hugh Jones, Deputy Leader of the Council, added “Brymbo: Foundries, Furnaces and Faith is the latest in a series of displays and exhibitions focusing on the industrial history of Wrexham County Borough.
“Wrexham County Borough Council’s Heritage & Archive Service would like to thank Colin Davies, Walter Salisbury and Brian Gresty of the Brymbo Heritage Group for their assistance in identifying and highlighting objects of interest in the museum collection.”
The ‘People and Places’ display case is located in the centre of the main gallery at Wrexham Museum.
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