Watt's final workshop - now at London's Science Museum

London’s Science Museum features a number of Boulton and Watt engines – as well as Watt’s Birmingham workshop (rebuilt in London).

The Museum’s curator of mechanical engineering, Ben Russell, told us about what visitors can expect. He also reflected on how the museum celebrated the 100th anniversary of Watt’s death (in 1919).

“We’ve got four of his engines. We’ve got Watt’s personal library,” said Ben. “And we have Watt’s workshop. James Watt died in 1819. For 104 years the workshop was left pretty much left untouched in Birmingham – in Watt’s house – until 1924 when we acquired it for the Science Museum. And it’s completely unique. We even acquired the floorboards and all the contents. It’s a treasure trove.”

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