The Bradford Industrial Museum provides visitors with a well-rounded understanding of what life as a mill worker would have been like. It's full of eye-catching displays that provide information on everything from the types of people who worked at the mill to the complicated process of weaving. There are displays of textile machinery, steam engines and motor vehicles, as well as an example of both a mill owner's and mill worker's house.
History and Heritage at Moorside Mills
The Industrial Museum is situated in an old historical mill called Moorside Mills. Built in 1875 by John Moore, the small worsted spinning mill changed hands several times before it was bought by the Bradford Council in 1970. Today it is a fascinating free museum, full of interesting history and working models of machinery that bring the history to life.
The main mill contains the machinery displays with permanent exhibitions on textile machinery, steam power, engineering, printing and transport. There are demonstrations of the machines throughout the week, which will probably be of more interest to the layperson than the technically-worded signs that explain each piece of equipment.
Next to the mill is Moorside House, the original home of John Moore and his family until 1887. The interior of the house has now been converted back to what it would have looked like while he was still the mill owner. It's ostentatious decoration provides a poignant foil to the nearby Victorian back-to backs, which have been recreated as the original mill worker accommodation.
The Museum is also home to some working horses and a horse emporium display which shows how important horses were to the mill industry. The public have an opportunity to take a ride on a horse-tram (contact the museum for times) or can just visit the dray horses in their paddock.
Education and Activities at the Industrial Museum
The Industrial Museum is full of interactive, child-friendly displays, and on arrangement can provide activities for school groups or other organisations interested in a guided tour. Hands-on workshops will provide children with a memorable experience on a number of different topics such as street games, Victorian classrooms and washday. Contact the museum for more information.
Location and Opening Times
The Industrial Museum is located at Moorside Mills, Moorside Road, Eccleshill, Bradford. There is a good sized car park at the mill for those driving, and several buses from Bradford that stop on Moorside Rd.
The Museum's opening times are:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 12 noon - 5pm
Closed: Mondays (except Bank Holidays) Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday
A History Museum for Everyone
The Mill is the perfect place for anyone wanting to step back in time and gain a better understanding of England's industrial heritage. It's classic cars and engines, printing presses and in-depth look at the weaving process (among many other displays) ensure that there is something to appeal to everyone.
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