Derby Silk Mill

• 1. Origins Of Lombe's Mill

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  Thomas Lombe secured a patent for his silk-throwing machinery in 1721. He built the Derby Silk Mill on the banks of the River Derwent to house these machines. The structure stood as England's first mechanized factory when it opened its doors. Workers operated water-powered frames that twisted raw silk into thread at unprecedented speeds. This facility marked the southern end of what would later become the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The mill represented a massive shift from hand-crafting methods to industrial production. It employed hundreds of people who tended the complex array of spinning wheels and looms.

• 2. Transition To Industrial Museum

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  Derby City Council transformed the historic building into an educational space by 1974. The site officially opened as Derby’s Industrial Museum on the 29th of November 1974. Visitors could walk through rooms filled with preserved machinery and historical artifacts. The museum showcased the evolution of industry within the city over two centuries. Staff members guided guests through exhibits detailing local manufacturing history. This conversion ensured the old mill remained useful rather than falling into disrepair. The location continued to serve the public as a center for learning about industrial heritage.

• 3. Closure And Strategic Redevelopment

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  October 2016 marked the start of a £17 million redevelopment programme. Planners sought to reinvent and redevelop the museum for the 21st century. They incorporated principles of Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics known as STEAM. The goal involved creating interactive spaces where visitors could engage with making processes directly. Staff designed new galleries to display modern manufacturing techniques alongside historical exhibits. The facility reopened under the new name of the Museum of Making on the 21st of May 2021. This transformation bridged the gap between past industrial achievements and future innovation.

  An innovative integrated

• 4. The Museum Of Making Rebirth

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  project insurance procurement model governed the construction phase. This approach created a shared-risk alliance-based contract among all project team members. The strategy aimed to eliminate the common blame or claim culture found in typical building projects. Team members delivered the project on time and to budget despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Suppliers went into administration during the process yet the work continued without major delays. The museum received a Highly Commended placement in the annual Museum+Heritage Awards within the category Sustainable Project of the Year. In September 2021 it won the National Construction

• 5. Construction Innovation And Awards

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  News Awards on the category Project of the Year Under £25m. Five further awards followed from the Constructing Excellence East Midlands Awards. On the 10th of May 2022 officials announced that the Museum of Making was short-listed for the 2022 Art Fund Museum of the Year award.

  Storm Babet caused significant damage to the site in October 2023. The museum closed its doors until the 25th of January 2024 due to this weather event. Exhibits are largely located on upper floors to reduce potential flood damage. Planners had anticipated such risks when designing the new layout. Damage caused by the storm led to immediate repairs and safety assessments. In August 2025 the museum applied for planning permission to fit its workshop area with flood protection measures. Ongoing efforts focus on securing long-term resilience against future river flooding events.