Past Events
Join in and help the Birmingham Trees for Life Team as they plant trees in Handsworth Park.
It is not much known that in his early career James Watt made and sold musical instruments. He was also, reputedly, tone-deaf. Hear about his instrument making, from violins, guitars and flutes to small chamber organs.
The Smethwick engine is the oldest steam engine in the world.
See it in action.
An exciting make and take activity for creative geniuses inspired by James Watt’s copying inventions.
An interactive drop-in session with live demos of 3D scanning and 3D printing. Get yourself 3D scanned and maybe even get a mini-3D selfie made!
Geology was one of James Watt’s many interests and letters about the Lickey Hills are in the Watt archive. This walk will explore the geology of these much loved hills.
FULLY BOOKED Join the friends of St Mary’s church and discover the stories behind its many memorials, including a large statue of James Watt.
Be amazed by this spectacle of light and images projected onto Soho House against the night sky.
FULLY BOOKED. James Watt was one of the first Wardens of the Birmingham Assay Office, established in 1773. To celebrate Watt 2019 the Assay Office is opening the doors to its important private collections.
FULLY BOOKED. James Watt was one of the first Wardens of the Birmingham Assay Office, established in 1773. To celebrate Watt 2019 the Assay Office is opening the doors to its important private collections.
FULLLY BOOKED. Designed by Samuel Wyatt, Heathfield House was completed in 1790. Join Rita McLean to hear about the influential Wyatt dynasty and their many connections with Boulton and Watt enterprises.
Sonic artist Bobby Bird aka Higher Intelligence Agency will give an immersive live surround sound performance of his composition Watt’s Orbit in St Paul’s Church
FULLY BOOKED. Join the friends of St Mary’s church and discover the stories behind its many memorials, including a large statue of James Watt.
FULLY BOOKED. Visit the remains of Ecton Copper Mine in Staffordshire. A Boulton & Watt steam engine was installed here in 1788, the engine house survives. Also 21 September.
Harper’s Hill was James Watt’s first family home in Birmingham. This illustrated talk reveals its history using maps and archive material from the James Watt and Family Papers.
Come to Soho House and create lunar pastels. Find out more about Watt’s friendships with other Lunar Society members.
NEW DATE Meet model maker David Hulse and hear how he built the scale model steam engine on display in the exhibition.
Join Ben Russell, curator of Mechanical Engineering, as he explores the contents of James Watt’s workshop preserved at the Science Museum London
A rare opportunity to join archivist Fiona Tait behind the scenes at Birmingham Archives and view original documents from the James Watt Archive Collection.
This 2 day conference at the University of Birmingham will highlight recent research about James Watt. Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
Come and design incredible inventions inspired by the life of James Watt, his Lunar Society friends and the Summer Reading Challenge which celebrates the moon landings 50 years ago.
On Sunday 25th and Monday 26th August, the Waterworks Museum will celebrate the life and work of the great inventor and steam pioneer James Watt.
Come and see two ornate James Watt & Co beam engines in steam and take the opportunity to see the pumping station’s brick vaulted underground reservoir. Sun 25 Aug and Mon 26 Aug.
On Sunday 25th and Monday 26th August, Claymills Pumping Station will be firing up the Lancashire boilers. Come and see 3 giant beam engines, each 5 storeys high, in action.
Come to Thinktank and find out about some of James Watt's inventions. Take part in our interactive science show and hands on activities to discover his legacy.
This talk will look at James Watt not just as an engineer but as a friend, an inventor, a father, a husband, and a sometimes anxious genius.
