Cam Foundry

The Cam Foundry, 349 Mill Road, Cambridge

Student Residence on the site of Mackintosh's Foundry

1 April 1960 – Macintosh & Sons, the long-established Cambridge ironmongers, moved their showrooms from Market Hill to 349 Mill Road because of increasing congestion in the city centre. The new premises included a warehouse and instrument shed, while the adjoining foundry, although no longer in use, had formerly produced lamp standards, ploughshares and other ironwork for Cambridge. (Mike Petty Archive: Cambridge Mill Road Scrapbook 1897–1990, 1 April 1960.)

16 August 1962 – A feature on the former Cam Foundry recalled how the business had manufactured cast-iron lamp posts, gratings and road ironwork before closing in 1923. Production was then transferred to the former Romsey Town cement works at Mill Road, preserving an important part of Cambridge’s engineering tradition. (Mike Petty Archive: Cambridge Mill Road Scrapbook 1897–1990, 16 August 1962.)

1 February 1963 – Macintosh & Sons, whose recorded history stretched back to 1688, was sold to a new owner. While the Market Hill retail premises were to close as part of a redevelopment scheme, the wholesale, agricultural and workshop departments were to continue trading from 349 Mill Road. (Mike Petty Archive: Cambridge Mill Road Scrapbook 1897–1990, 1 February 1963.)

---

The Cam Foundry is the current occupant of 315-349 Mill Road whose history as a Cement Works is described elsewhere. To link with its past special features have been commissioned.

CAM FOUNDRY BENCHES

The sculptural benches in the pocket park have been cast in concrete and reflect the industrial history of the site. Bench forms are based on a  blacksmith’s hammer, a floor nail, a partly formed blacksmith’s tong and an ornamental gate curve. When the cement works closed in 1919, the Cam Foundry and Ironworks occupied this site. Also known as ‘Mackintosh’s’, the business was active until the late 1960s as a forge, foundry and latterly a supplier of agricultural implements.

CAM FOUNDRY ENTRANCE

The glazed entrance artwork has been created in collaboration with the Mill Road Community and the Cambridge Collection and Archives. The screen-printed enamels reflect the history of the site with a focus on Romsey Town Cement and Lime Works. The collaged design combines maps and planning documents from the late nineteenth century with company paperwork and advertising. Different images are printed on each face of the double-glazed units and can be seen together when lighting conditions allow.