What is Industrial Archaeology ?
It is the study of the working life of past generations through the
physical and documentary evidence that they left
How did our ancestors live, work, travel?
What machines, tools, and implements did they have?
How were these developed, made and used?
What sources of power did they have
and how did they transmit power to the point of application?
How did they move their products?
What were industrial buildings like and where were they sited?
Industrial Archaeology shades into 'mainstream' archaeology as it goes back through the ages
It is also bound up with local history, economic history and the history of
technology
We record and study the
remains of past industries and the achievements of the people concerned with
them
This involves surveying, drawing, and photography, as well as the written word
The results are published in our annual
journal - Sussex Industrial History - which
is on sale to non-members
Brief records go into our quarterly Newsletter
to keep members abreast of what is going on
We also restore buildings and machinery, sometimes for display to the public at
the
Amberley Industrial Museum, West Sussex
This gives those interested the opportunity to acquire practical skills
Members are insured on Society projects
The S.I.A.S. is affiliated to the
Association for Industrial Archaeology and the
Sussex Archaeological Society
and works closely with the
Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre
the Wealden Iron Research Group, the Wey and Arun Canal Trust, and
the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
We collaborate with -
the East and West Sussex County Councils, Southern Water Services, the National
Trust and other bodies
The Society also participates in the South East Regional Industrial Archaeology Conference
(SERIAC),
having been instrumental initiating it.
This society brings together IA and similar
societies in
Kent, Greater London, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Sussex in an annual
one-day meeting
The Society's activities are of increasing interest to visitors to Sussex, particularly to those from abroad who are working in the same field,
Details of over 200 industrial remains Sussex are contained in the latest
edition of the Field Guide, obtainable from the Society
The Society has initiated a simple county-wide survey of buildings, items and remains of industrial archaeological interest.
This is being carried out by members in their own localities and volunteers are
needed to fill in the remaining parts of Sussex
When completed this survey will be an invaluable source of national reference
Sussex Mills Group
The Mills Group is part of Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society and membership
of one provides membership of the other
The aims of the Group are to
promote the preservation and restoration of mills, to record their physical remains and related activities,
to study and preserve documentary and other records relating to milling history
and to provide a forum for related societies
Constitution
For more information and details of publications please contact:
the General Secretary: (Please note change)
Martin Snow, 32 Orchard Orchard Avenue, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7PY - 01903
208975
email:
martin(at)pastfinder.uk - note NOT .co
Change the '(at)' to '@'.
Membership Secretary: See
Membership Page
Sussex Mills Group:
Secretary: W.B Pike, Stream Cottage, Caulkins Mill, Mayfield, East
Sussex. TN20 6UP
email: wbtpike(at)btinternet.com
Change the '(at)' to '@'
Webmaster:
email:
martin(at)pastfinder.uk
- note NOT .co
Change the '(at)' to '@'
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