Joseph Aspdin’s patent of Portland Cement.
Our second meeting in October is on the 23rd celebrating the bicentenary of the patent of Portland cement by Joseph Aspdin. This will be in the Kingswood Suite at Wakefield Town Hall starting at 7pm: https://www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/whs-events/lecture-programme/
Wakefield should really be very proud of the connection, and recent research seems to confirm that Portland cement was invented in Wakefield. Joseph Aspdin called the product Portland cement because mortar made from it resembled Portland stone which was the most prestigious building stone in use in England at the time.The former ‘Wakefield Arms’ near Kirkgate station was rendered in the cement and as a listed building (Grade ll), it is recognised as the only surviving example of a building covered with Joseph Aspdin’s patent Portland cement. Gateposts at St John’s Church in Wakefield commemorate Aspdin’s invention, and he was buried there in March 1855.
The drawing is of Aspdin’s kiln which was close to the present Kirkgate station.
The event is free and all are welcome, but please book by email: “info@wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk”
