Schmiede- und Schlossermuseum Schwalbach
The blacksmith and locksmith Museum in Schwalbach - Griesborn displays exhibits on the economic history of the Saarland in a listed building.
Background: Coal mining in Schwalbach and environment
In Schwalbach at least since 1730 coal was produced; in neighboring Griesborn there were from 1751 two shafts. 1857 a new mine, called the " railroad Shaft" (later " Griesborn bay " ) was applied for in 1861 a private railway siding by Ensdorf was used. The plant was called the " Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm" during a visit of the Crown Prince. From 1833 onwards, was in civil engineering and worked with steam engines. After the gradual decline of the conveying system Griesborn this 1950 has been closed. Parts of buildings and structures were demolished; another part was further used as a school work of the Saar mines and went in 1969 in the possession of the district of Saarlouis.
Museale use of old equipment
The district was built at this location to school the railway shaft, which operates a flat- museum in the former transformer house.
The compressor house, approximately 100 years served its original purpose, has been declared as the last pristine preserved building of the pit attachment to document the industrial architecture and thus to the monument. At the suggestion of the National Guild of metal, it continued to be used as a blacksmith and locksmith Museum. Since 1993 a cooperation agreement between the National Guild of metal and the district of Saarlouis. The building was - partly in the context of job creation schemes - restored, expanded and equipped with exhibits on commercial and industrial everyday culture. These include machinery, transmissions, equipment, tools and work pieces. Opened in 1999, the museum will be open from May to October on Sundays.
Exhibits
From the blacksmith's trade later the other metal professions emerged. The museum displays hand-operated machines and tools from the 18th and 19th centuries, including bellows, anvil, bending horn and upsetting machine. Another section is dedicated to fusion welding and plumbing and thin sheet metal crafts. Under the gallery in the entrance hall are mainly machines of that period from 1880 to the 1920s, which were used by locksmiths and mechanical engineers, whereas all iron-working crafts are exhibited on the top floor of the house machines and tools. About the history of the former coal mine inform numerous photographs. In the outdoor complex is an air compressor, a deep drawing press, various Eisentorpressen, hammers, lathes, and agricultural equipment can be seen.