As we celebrate our 125th birthday year we will be sharing objects from our collection for every decade of our history. Our first object, chosen by Mary Queen of Bricks (our collections supremo and all-round brick fan), is this – the Hall’s Patent Brick-making machine.

This machine was made in 1898 and remained in use until 1971.  Now on display in our county brickworks area outside of the museum, this brickmaking machine dates from around the time that our site opened. However, whilst our site was powered by steam (the height of 19th century technological advancement) the Hall’s patent machine was powered by horse…literally.

The horse would have walked round and round while being attached to the large cross-beam by a harness.  This pugged the clay, that was put in the top, was then pushed into a 5-brick mould that would have been slid backwards empty and forwards to receive the clay, by an operative, churning out five bricks at a time.

This machine was made by P Bordon, London and was used at Harthill Brickworks, Holt near Wimborne, Dorset.

It was restored and put into its current location about 5 years ago.

Throughout 2022 we are celebrating our 125th birthday – The bricks don’t expect presents for their birthday but any donations towards the upkeep of this historic site, to keep it open for another 125 years, would be gratefully received via the donate button above.