Volunteer with us
Our volunteers make this digitisation programme possible! Not just on site here in Newcastle but all around the world doing transcription and proof reading. Contact us if you can spare a few hours a week.
Railways, geology and more
The collections also cover the development of the railways, geology and the social, economic and cultural history of the mining industry.
More than just books
As well as over 35,000 printed books, we hold unique archives including photographs, manuscripts, maps, objects, underground plans and more!
Digitising and conserving the collections
To enable worldwide access to this important collection we are working on a programme of digitisation thanks to our funders and our fantastic volunteers. Our full online portal will be available in 2021 and will offer a searchable database of all of our digitised material.
Collection highlights
Hartley Silver Medal
These medals were presented to the rescuers at the New Hartley Disaster (1862).
Colliery Guardian
We hold an almost complete run of Colliery Guardian which we are digitising for online access
Hocus Pocus
This poem shows the controversy at the time over the inventor of the safety lamp.
Early railways of the Derwent Valley
A recent publication by NEIMME member, Les Turnbull. Copies available for sale from The Common Room.
Tom Lamb's Sketchbooks
Detailed pencil drawings created underground which vividly capture the experience of being a miner.
Select Committee on Accidents in Mines 1835
Read George Stephenson's own words describing his life as a civil engineer.
T. Y. Hall's Map of the Great Northern Coalfield
Published within NEIMME's transactions, this shows the extent of the coalfields in 1854.
Plan of William Pit Rotative Engine
The collection includes many engineering drawings illustrating new innovations in machinery.
Promo-block - text on image with graident
The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers
The collections were originally acquired by NEIMME who have gifted them to The Common Room to be housed, conserved and protected for the future.
Collections enquiries
Click below if you have an enquiry about whether we hold a specific item or if you are interested in donating materials to the collection.
