The fascinating story of Manchester’s first cotton factory is being told in a new exhibition at Manchester Central Library.
The water and steam powered mill, built by renowned inventor and entrepreneur, Richard Arkwright, in 1782, was Manchester's first industrial-scale cotton factory, sparking the town's development into a major manufacturing city that would become known as Cottonopolis.
The factory was located on Miller Street, close to the present day CIS Tower and spun cotton thread until 1854.
The photographic exhibition on display at Central Library until 11 April 2008, is based on work by the Manchester Regional Industrial Archaeology Society (MRIAS) who have been researching the site of the mill and nearby back-to-back dwellings, which housed the families who flocked to Manchester from across the UK and Ireland in search of work during the industrial revolution.
Councillor Mike Kane, Executive Member for Arts & Leisure said: "This is a wonderfully artistic and historical display, celebrating the tremendous legacy of Arkwright's Mill on the city and surrounding area. In terms of both industry and society it had an enormous impact, giving rise to the modern and cosmopolitan city we have today."
The exhibition is displayed on the first floor of Central Library outside the Local Studies Unit.
Library Opening Times: Monday to Thursday 9am - 8pm Friday & Saturday 9am - 5pm.
To accompany the exhibition, Bernard and Jill Champness from the MRIAS will give an illustrated talk entitled Workin' in t' Mill in the Committee Room on the second floor of the Central Library on Thursday 3 April at 1.00pm.
Entry is Free.
Media contact:
Claire Keegan, tel: 0161 234 4014.