The one-sixth scale prototype of the Morgan's Patented traversing winding engine built by Holman Bros in 1898 is at Poldark Mine and in near operating condition via an electric drive. We hope to restore it further, remove the electric drive and run it on steam or compressed air.
Its not a true model as its partly made up of various standard Holman parts but it is a working machine that demonstrated the principles of the patent. It was taken to Paris in 1900 and won a medal.
It has some original cast works plates. The original Gold (coloured) and Silver (coloured) medals presented to Holman's at the 1900 Paris Exposition are also on display at the museum along with some other Holman brass makers plates.
A one-sixth scale model of a Holman Bros skip was recovered from a shed full of rubbish and is in the museum once again. Other precious models and smaller items have been recovered in the same way and are on display again. A sectioned silver bullet drill was found covered in rubbish in terrible condition and has been restored. It was exhibited at the Cornish Trade & Industries Fair in 1950 and won another medal for Holman's.
These artefacts and many others came from the Holman Museum in Camborne that was given to Poldark in 1979 for the nominal sum of £1 so that the collection would remain together. The last owners saw fit to sell off many items and the entire archive of papers to finance their own expenses.
The former company went into receivership having run the place into the ground for 14 years and taken or sold off many of the machines and other artefacts. Some items have been recovered such as the railway engine from Falmouth Docks - that suffered the indignity of being sold off on e-bay! Some items including parts from the 1840s beam engine have been returned by others which is encouraging.
Since rescue and re-opening in June 2014 the mine is under new management with the opening of the mine, restoration and preservation of the machinery collection and mining heritage as its core aims.
Visitors are welcome to explore the mine and museum on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11.AM to 1.00 during the winter months.
Winter months - Mine tours at 11.30am and 1.00pm (the 1.00 tour needs to be booked in advance by telephone 01326 573 173) Volunteers are welcome as there is much to restore!