The Welsh Slate Museum at Llanberis is situated in the original Gilfach Ddu
workshop buildings of the Dinorwig Slate Company.
The Assheton-Smith family from Cheshire owned the company and in partnership
with the Penrhyn family, became a major part of the Welsh slate trade (about 25
percent by the turn of the 19th Century).
Looking through Gilfach Ddu towards Vivian Quarry |
|
Splitting the slate rock |
Dressing the slate - squaring off the sides then cutting to a predetermined size |
A model of an open splitting area - a wâl. |
A blacksmith's forge - can you 'mouse' over Dewi Ddraig Fach? |
The waterwheel, which until 1925 (when a Pelton wheel replaced it) was the power source for the workshop machinery. Currently under renovation |
The Fron Haul Quarrymen's Cottages, rebuilt here last year, originally from Tanygrisiau |
The flywheel that helps the smooth running of the lineshaft from the water wheel |
Matthew on steam engine "Una" |