Lost Mills and Ghost Mansions

50 years of textile stories

Bradford is a city famous for its textile history. In the 1900s there were over 350 mills involved in the production of the finest worsted cloth and fabrics of all kinds. Today there are less than 30 working mills. The rest have burnt down, been demolished, or found a new life. Salts Mill in the heart of the Saltaire World Heritage Site is visited by thousands of people every year, Lister’s Mill in Manningham is home to Mind the Gap Theatre and Moorside Mill in Eccleshill houses the Bradford Industrial Museum.

The last generations of people who worked in Bradford’s textile industry are now in their 70s and 80s and their stories and memories are in danger of being forgotten. Lost Mills and Ghost Mansions has been rediscovering and recording the stories of those times in words, pictures, audio and video.

The Lost Mills Learning Zone is a rich resource available for all to use. We have interviewed over 80 people and collected hundreds of memories and stories – from the reality of working life to high days and holidays; from disputes and celebrations to unexpected events and accidents. They have been carefully documented, organised and brought to life with suggestions for future activities.

Whether you are a community organisation, school, college, university researcher or just plain interested, there will be something in the Lost Mills Learning Zone for you.

Explore the Learning Zone here. You’ll be amazed at what you find.

Photograph: Tim Smith | Burling and Mending Glasses at Drummonds Mill.

The contents of the 509 Arts website are protected by copyright unless otherwise stated. The Lost Mills Learning Zone recordings, text and activity suggestions are free to use for non-commercial community and education purposes. If you wish to use the materials for any other purpose, email info@509arts.co.uk with your plans.

Some of the images and video footage belong to a third party and are credited as such. If you wish to use any such content, please contact 509 Arts or the copyright owner directly.