The Museum of the Old-Polish Basin in Sielpia

The Museum of the Old-Polish Basin in Sielpia is a cultural institution located in the village of Sielpia Wielka, in Końskie County, within a historic production complex established between 1821 and 1841 on the initiative of Stanisław Staszic and Ksawery Drucki Lubecki. The museum, which is a branch of the Museum of Technology and Industry NOT in Warsaw, is situated in the area of the Old-Polish Industrial District. The facility, funded by the Bank of Poland, originally produced approximately three thousand tons of steel products annually using charcoal. After a decline in activity, the plant was closed in 1921 and transformed into a museum in 1934. Unfortunately, during World War II, the museum suffered severe devastation and was looted, significantly impacting its collections. After reconstruction between 1956 and 1959, the museum was reactivated in 1962. Today, the museum exhibition includes a complex of industrial buildings, featuring rolling mill and metallurgical equipment. Among the most valuable exhibits are an 8-meter water wheel designed by Filip de Girard and approximately 30 machines from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, such as lathes, planers, presses, and drills. The museum grounds also display a water wheel and a hammer from a 16th-century forge. The museum is open year-round, and admission is charged. With its fascinating history and unique collections, this site is a valuable part of the region's cultural heritage, attracting enthusiasts of technical and industrial history.