EAST MIDLANDS INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY CONFERENCE

What is EMIAC?

The East Midlands Industrial Archaeology Conference (EMIAC), is organised by societies from across the East Midlands region. Each of the societies takes it in turn to host an Industrial Heritage Day in their locality, comprising talks and visits on an industrial history theme, and a chance to learn about the work of the societies and buy their publications.

Heritage Days  are open to anyone with an interest in IA or related historical subjects. The first was held in 1970 with the idea of enabling industrial archaeologists in the East Midlands to get together in different locations to consider topics of mutual interest. No formal organisation exists; the secretaries from each of the organisations meet on a regular basis.

Participating societies

The core group of societies organising EMIAC on a regular basis are:

On occasions one of the heritage days may be organised by another more specialist group within the region. A list of previous heritage days can be downloaded from here.

EMIAC 99 - SUDBURY GASWORKS - RESCUED AND RESTORED - 17 JUNE 2023

EMIAC is back! After a 3 year gap due to Covid, the Derbyshire Archaeological Society will be hosting a heritage day at Sudbury in Derbyshire on the theme of coal gas production for estates and rural communities.

The venue will be the ornate gasworks building opened in 1875 to supply gas to Sudbury Hall and the estate village. This is a rare survivor designed by prominent Victorian architect George Devey. The site has been renovated for community use by the Sudbury Gasworks Restoration Trust via a £1.4 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and EMIAC will be one of the first events to use the new facility.

BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS

Places are limited due to the size of the venue, so early booking is advised. The charge for the day is £18 which includes a drink on arrival and a buffet lunch. Please book online via Eventbrite or download a booking form from here. 

If you have any queries about this event please contact us at emiac@derbyshireas.org.uk. 

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

1000-1030 
Registration and coffee

1030-1300
Ian West – Dazzling the Guests? Country-house owners’ investment in artificial lighting.

Cherry Ann Knott – Devey at Sudbury – architecture for a developing Victorian estate

Sudbury Gasworks Restoration Trust – Saving a unique building and finding it a future role

1300-1400
Lunch and time to look at the restored building and browse bookstalls and displays from industrial archaeology societies across the East Midlands

1400-1600
Walking tour of Sudbury village to see where the gas was distributed and admire some more of George Devey’s architecture.