Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Féru des sciences museum, officially named Museum of Iron History, is based on the initiative of Edward Salin, a member of the Institute and archaeologist specialized in the Merovingian period. Passionate about the preservation of archaeological collections, he founded in 1950 the Laboratory of Archaeology of Metals with Albert France-Lanord. Following the international conference "The Iron through the Ages" held in October 1955 in Nancy, the idea emerged to create a Research Center of the History of Iron and Steel, associated with a museum tracing steelmaking techniques. The project brings together major actors such as the City of Nancy, the CNRS, the Chamber Syndicale de la Sidérurgie Française and the University of Nancy. Finally, the choice is made for a settlement in Jarville-la-Malgrange, a commune in the Nemensee conurbation linked to the steel tradition.

The building, designed by architects Jacques and Michel André in collaboration with Claude Prouvé (son of Jean Prouvé), was erected in the early 1960s on Montaigu Park. Inaugurated in 1966 by Jean Châtelain, then director of the museums of France, he embodies a pioneering steel architecture, with a profiled iron frame and glass façades in retreat, creating a "panel glass cage". This structure, awarded by the Silver Square in 1969 and labeled Heritage of the 20th century in 2015, symbolizes the technical and aesthetic revolutions of the region, historically marked by the iron industry. The collections, originally collected by historian Bertrand Gille, cover 3,500 years of history, from 1500 BC to the 20th century, through tools, machines, weapons and art objects.

The museum is part of a heritage complex including the Château de Montaigu, rebuilt in 1921 in an Art Deco style after a fire. Edward and Suzanne Salin, the last owners, have created an exceptional collection of furniture, sculptures and musical instruments. This place, both research centre and museum space, illustrates the link between science, industry and heritage in Lorraine, while highlighting the region's technical and artistic heritage.

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