Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings has re-opened with a new exhibition, independent café, shop, offices, and venue space and ready to welcome the public once more.
Leading exhibition designers, Mather & Co, are responsible for the exhibition design, content development, and internal and external interpretation throughout the site, known as the ‘grandparent of skyscrapers’,
Mather & Co has also designed the new site tour, which will open next year.
Paul Lee, Design Director at Mather & Co said: “From the grandparent of skyscrapers to the ground-breaking conservation and restoration project, the new interpretation and exhibition spaces tell the story of this unique site and celebrates the individuals and communities who have helped shape what we see today.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege for Mather & Co to be a part of this journey. We hope this will connect with today’s audiences and bring these stories to life through the new exhibition spaces for the next generation of visitors.”
The restoration of the Grade I listed Main Mill and the Grade II listed Kiln at the site has been aided by a £20.7 million grant thanks to National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Meanwhile, additional funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership via its Growth Deal with Government, and from project partners Historic England, Shropshire Council and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings have also made possible the re-opening.
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings was the world’s first iron-framed building when built in 1797 – paving the way for skyscrapers around the world. Historic England took leadership of the project in 2014, with the goal to ‘create a long-term future for Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings by developing a hub where the community can visit, work, eat and learn.’
Created by Historic England and exhibition consultants Mather & Co, The Mill tells the story of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and its crucial role in the industrial revolution. The exhibition is split into five themes: ‘Town and Transformation’, ‘Engineering and Build’, ‘People and Process’, ‘Adaptation and Change,’ and ‘Legacy and Impact.’
Exhibition highlights include a large 3D mill model which reveals what happened inside the building at different points in time, an interactive touch table and a variety of interesting physical interactives.
