Queens of Industry

Leeds Industrial Museum
11th May 2019
1 min read

Full steam ahead as Fiona gets fired up for mills weekend

After a lifetime toiling at the beating heart of British industry, she’s certainly earned a rest. But this weekend, Leeds Industrial Museum’s magnificent mill engine will be letting off some steam as she comes out of retirement to celebrate National Mills Weekend. The mesmerising machine, named Fiona Elizabeth, will be in full working order…
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Queens of Industry
10th January 2018
1 min read

Object of the week- Railway Queen’s gown

For the hard-working women once chosen to represent some of the country’s most prominent industries, suitably regal attire was an absolute must. This glamourous gown, for example, was once worn by the country’s Railway Queens, who would be the face of the rail industry at all manner of events and functions and even international…
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Queens of Industry
15th November 2017
1 min read

Object of the week- Cotton Queen’s tiara

A dazzling reminder of a fascinating chapter in British industrial history, this beautiful tiara is truly fit for a Queen. Although not made of real precious metals and jewels, the tiara is no less prestigious, as it was once worn by the country’s very last reigning Cotton Queen. Elsie Kearsley, who was crowned in…
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Queens of Industry
3rd November 2017
2 mins read

Crowning glory for Queens of Industry as new exhibition opens

Plucked from the factory floor, their lives were quickly transformed into a glitzy whirlwind of international jet-setting, glamorous film roles and exciting photoshoots. But the hard-working women chosen to represent some of the UK’s most prominent economic powerhouses were also pioneers, who put female workers at the forefront of an industrial golden age. Now…
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