The Bone Building
The William Bone building was opened in 2001 and tells the 210 year history of Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries Engineering Company. Ransomes were world leaders in agricultural engineering and exported threshing machines, steam engines and lawn mowers all over the world. Highlights of the display is the Ransomes, Sims and Head steam engine No 5137 though to be that last surving Ransomes' traction engine. Built in 1881 it spend much of its life in Ireland at convent where it was driven by nuns!
Members of the Bone familiy managing directors of the company since the 19th century. Geoffrey Bone the last Chairman before Ransomes was sold in 2002 was a generous benefactor to the museum and his gift financed the Bone Building.