We were engaged to develop heritage interpretive signage to complement restoration works to the Lithgow Blast Furnace area that were undertaken during 2017 and 2018.
The Lithgow Blast Furnace is a monument to Lithgow’s industrial history and has been a prominent local landmark for over 100 years. It was here that the first commercial quantities of iron were produced and the first steel puddled in Australia. The blast furnace holds a unique place in history as the operation that eventually spawned Bluescope Steel.
- Client: Lithgow City Council
- Date: June 2015 – April 2918
- Specs: 16 small rail-mounted signs – 950mm x 400mm, 14 large free-standing signs – 970mm x 600mm, 1 large map sign 600mm x 1300mm with artwork on second side, framework and footings design
- Service: Research and content writing, theme development, template designs, graphic design, design of sign hardware, plan for signage locations, wayfinding map
Rehabilitation of heritage site
Decades of local youngsters have played among the relics of the blast furnace. Tourists have also wandered freely around the ruins and it has also been the scene of countless photo shoots for both professionals and amateurs. However, there were real concerns about the structural safety of the 90-year-old demolition site. Lithgow City Council has undertaken repair and conservation works under heritage supervision to some structures on the site to ensure their continued safety for public access. These works at Blast Furnace Park aim to improve visitor safety, enjoyment and appreciation of the site. This challenging undertaking was completed mid 2018.
The project also aims to promote cultural heritage tourism by incorporating the Blast Furnace Park site into a heritage trail linking other key heritage sites in Lithgow including Eskbank House, Eskbank Station and State Mine.
