The local slate mines have been driving the economy of this region since the 18th century.
The 1860s and 1870s were the best years for the slate industry and Blaenau Ffestiniog underwent a large boom.
Manod Mawr near Ffestiniog.
The Germans had invaded France forcing the British to retreat at Dunkirk.
Soon, the British knew, German bombers would fly across the English Channel to attack Britain from air.
Winston Churchill too vetoed the idea and instructed Clark to a find a location within the island itself.
The vast abandoned slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniogfitted the billperfectly.
The town was isolated and lonely, and the quarry itself was enormous with huge cavernous rooms.
Photo credit: Fred Ramage
Work on the quarry began immediately.
Several small brick bungalows were built within the caverns to protect the paintings from variations in humidity and temperature.
This led the National Gallery to open their first air-conditioned gallery in 1949.
With every concert hall in London closed, crowds flocked to the Gallery in earnest.
Myra Hess, a talented but previously unknown pianist, became renowned giving concerts at the Gallery.
The concerts were a huge success and won her much affection from the British public.
A large painting of King Charles I by Van Dyck barely makes it through a door.
Photo credit: Fred Ramage
Paintings were moved through the caves on rail tracks.
Photo credit: Fred Ramage
A painting is taken out of storage for routine inspection at the underground facility.
Photo credit: Fred Ramage
Paintings undergoing daily dusting at Manod Quarry, north Wales.
The lower painting is Rembrandt’s ‘Saskia as Flora’.
Photo credit: Fred Ramage
Ledgers with details of the artworks were also stored in the mountain hideaway.
Photo credit: Fred Ramage
Mr G. Wilkinson checks the air conditioning in the caves sometime in September 1942.
Photo credit: Fred Ramage
Two night security guards settle down in their subterranean dormitory.
Photo credit: Fred Ramage
Chief Attendant E.B.
Harrison (seated, centre) and his colleagues take a tea-break in a canteen at Manod Quarry.
Photo credit: Fred Ramage
