Masson Mill facts for kids
Masson Mill in 2006
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 Location in Derbyshire
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| Cotton | |
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| Spinning Mill (Water frame) | |
| Structural system | Brick on Gritstone, |
| Location | Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, England |
| Owner | Arkwright |
| Further ownership |
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| Current tenants | Museum and retail village |
| Coordinates | 53°06′46″N 1°33′42″W / 53.1128°N 1.5616°W |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1783 |
| Renovated |
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| Floor count | 5, of 21 bays |
| Floor area | 43.8 metres (144 ft)long and8.4 metres (28 ft) wide |
| Design team | |
| Awards and prizes and listings | World Heritage Site |
| Water Power | |
| Wheels |
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Sir Richard Arkwright's Masson Mill is an old factory that used water power to spin cotton. It's located on the west bank of the River Derwent in Matlock Bath, England. This mill was built in 1783. It is part of the Derwent Valley Mills, which is a special place recognized as a World Heritage Site. Close by is Willersley Castle, a large house Richard Arkwright built for himself.
Contents
History of Masson Mill
The Need for More Cotton
In 1733, the invention of the flying shuttle made weaving cotton much faster. This meant there was a huge demand for more cotton thread to be spun. Machines for preparing and spinning cotton already existed. However, they weren't very good. The cotton they made wasn't strong enough for the main threads (called the warp) in woven fabric.
Arkwright's Water Frame
In 1769, Richard Arkwright created a special machine called the water frame. This machine used the powerful force of a water mill to spin cotton. It made stronger, better quality thread. His first mill using this invention was the Cromford Mill, built in 1771. Masson Mill was his third mill. It was built nearby to use the even stronger water flow from the River Derwent.
Building the Mill
Masson Mill was built using brick and gritstone. It had stone details around the corners and windows. The original building had 21 sections, was 5 storeys tall, and measured about 43.8 meters (144 feet) long and 8.4 meters (28 feet) wide. The stairs and other services were in a central part of the building. This left the main production floors clear, which was a big improvement for mill design.
The mill first ran on one large waterwheel. By 1801, two waterwheels were used instead. These were later replaced by new wheels in 1847. Finally, in 1928, modern turbines were installed to power the mill. The mill originally had a hidden, low-sloped roof. Around 1800, when the second waterwheel was added, the roof was raised. This gave the mill a useful sixth storey.
The Weir and Later Changes
A special dam, called a weir, was built across the River Derwent. This helped to build up enough water power for Arkwright's Mill and another paper mill. It's unusual because it curves outwards, unlike most weirs that curve inwards.
In 1840, a writer named Adams described Masson Mill. He said it was full of the newest machines for making cotton thread. He also mentioned how beautiful the mill looked at night. He wrote that the large mill, with its many lights reflecting on the river, mixed the sound of machines with the noise of the waterfall.
More buildings were added to the north and west sides of the mill around 1835. Some of these were later taken down. In 1911, 1928, and again in 1998, new parts were added using a type of brick called Accrington brick. The tall chimney of the mill was built in 1900. The chimney and the engine house were designed by Stott and Sons, famous architects who designed many mills.
Ownership and Legacy
In 1897, Masson Mill became part of the English Sewing Cotton Company. A directory from 1908 stated that the Masson Cotton Mills gave jobs to many people living in Matlock Bath. By 1922, the mill was owned by Sir Richard Arkwright and Co. Limited. This company was a branch of the English Sewing Cotton Co. Limited. The mill continued to be a major employer in the area for many years.
The mill has been carefully repaired and restored in recent times. Today, Masson Mill is home to a museum where you can learn about its history. It also used to have a retail village with shops, but this did not reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hydroelectric Power Today
In 1995, hydroelectric generators were installed at the mill. These generators use the power of the water to create electricity. They can produce 240 kilowatts of power.
Gallery
- Masson Mill
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- Carding and spinning
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Six cylinder devil
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Carder
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Platt Bros. mule
- Loom collection
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Lancashire loom
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Yorkshire broadloom
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British Northrop loom
