Its original collection consisted of a reconstruction of the nineteenth century engineering and mineral water business of Jonathan Burdett Bowler, founded in 1872.

In addition to the Bowler collection, other reconstructions include a cabinet maker's workshop and a Bath stone quarry face complete with crane and tools.

In 1999 a rare 1914 Horstmann car was acquired, and, in 2003, a comprehensive exhibition on Bath's development, 'Bath at Work: 2000 Years of Earning a Living' opened.

In 2007 the museum acquired a rare Griffin six-stroke gas engine, that had been in storage in Yeovil, Somerset, after having been moved from London in 2001.

The museum is housed in the Camden Works building, constructed in 1777 as a court for the indoor game of real tennis.