Workington's central role in helping to forge the industrial revolution in the most literal sense, has now been catalogued for future generations thanks to work carried out over the summer by Cumbria County Council's Record Office and Local Studies Library in Whitehaven.
Earlier this year, the county council was awarded a National Archives grant of almost £19,000 to catalogue the records of the British Steel Corporation and the steelworks in Workington.
Members of the media are invited to attend the official launch of the catalogue at the Whitehaven Record Office from 6:00pm on Thursday 1 February where they will get the chance to see some of the highlights of the collection, including photographs of new apprentices and works football teams over the years.
The collection also includes details of compensation payments made to men injured at work and records the steelworks' role in producing shells during World War II.
Workington steelworks shaped the development of the town and the surrounding area. At one time, the town's steelworkers produced railway track for use all over the world - helping to transform nations from horse drawn to steam driven economies.
There have been steelworks in the town since 1856, and the works have been run by companies including United Steel Companies Ltd, British Steel Corporation and CORUS. Production ended last year following a decision by parent company CORUS to transfer its rail track operation to Scunthorpe.
Former members of the steel industry will be attending the launch of the new catalogue, including the county council's chairman Allan Caine - himself a former Cumbrian steelworker.
The research grant for the project was administered by the National Archives and provided by the Pilgrim Trust and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, along with a donation by the Friends of Cumbria Archives. Out of 70 applications to the National Archives only 11 grants were made, including the one to Whitehaven.
Councillor Roger Bingham, cabinet member responsible for culture and communities, said: "This project has enabled us to preserve forever, the enormous contribution that the steel industry has made both economically and culturally to Workington and Cumbria.
"The role played by Workington in the development of the industrial world is recorded here for generations to come."
The public can contact Whitehaven Record Office on 01946 852920.
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Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337