Components of the James Watt Workshop reproduction

Skylight roof hatch from the reproduction of the James Watt Workshop by H.M. Office of Works from Heathfield presented by J.T. Hudson Esq. and Arthur Round Esq.

When the Science Museum acquired the contents of James Watt's workshop from his old house, 'Heathfield', at Handsworth, Birmingham, it did so from Watt's descendants. However, Heathfield was being sold so the building could be demolished to allow redevelopment of the site. In order for the workshop reconstruction at the Science Museum to be as authentic as possible, museum staff negotiated to acquire the strucutral elements of the workshop as well as its contents. They were acquired not from the Watt family, but from JT Hudson and Arthur Round, then owners of the site and house.