English Coal Mining History at the NCMME
11/17 
Plaque commemorating the opening of Glapwell colliery pithead baths
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
Pithead baths are a physical symbol of the changes that took place in coal mining before nationalisation in 1947. Tired and dirty after a hard shift, this is where the miners could shower and change into clean clothes before returning home.
From 1921 pithead baths were paid for by a levy on coal mined, through the Miners' Welfare Fund. Before that date most miners went home in their dirty clothes and bathed at home.
The Pithead Baths building at the Museum was completed in 1938, at the same time as many other colliery baths were being completed. This plaque, from the Museum's collection, commemorates the building of the pithead baths at Glapwell colliery in Derbyshire in 1932.
From 1921 pithead baths were paid for by a levy on coal mined, through the Miners' Welfare Fund. Before that date most miners went home in their dirty clothes and bathed at home.
The Pithead Baths building at the Museum was completed in 1938, at the same time as many other colliery baths were being completed. This plaque, from the Museum's collection, commemorates the building of the pithead baths at Glapwell colliery in Derbyshire in 1932.