Our favourite things is an exploration of the collection of Strutt’s North Mill. Each of the objects featured here have been picked by our museum volunteers as being something that they think is a hidden gem from the museum’s collection. These objects all have links with Belper’s past. Some are very simple things with a surprising past, others are better known, yet each has its own story to tell.
New objects will be added here every month. Some will also feature in a display in the museum for a limited time.
Stockings
This month ‘Our Favourite Things’, an exploration of the museum collection of Strutt’s North Mill in Belper, explores two objects that have a touch of class: handmade hosiery (stockings) belonging to King George III and Queen Victoria – all made in Belper by the firm that would become George Brettle & Co. Ltd.
East Mill Photographs
A set of recently donated photographs show a group of East Mill workers enjoying their breaks away from work in the 1960s. Discover why Strutt’s North Mill Volunteer Christine says these images are her favourite object in the collection of Strutt’s North Mill.
The Spinning Mule
Probably the largest item in our collection is a spinning mule, a piece of machinery designed to spin cotton. This time ‘Our Favourite Things’ features the story of the machine that formed the backbone of industrial textile spinning with thousands of these machines operating in spinning mills across Britain during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Mansion House Visitors book
This month the Strutt’s North Mill’s ‘Our Favourite Things’ project continues with a unique archival item. The office of Lord Mayor of London is one of the most prestigious in the country. Since the founding of the role in 1189, its holder has been elected by the livery men of the City of London’s 110 livery companies, each representing a trade or profession within the city. One former Lord Mayor, Sir Harry Twyford, shares a link with Belper and one of the town’s best-known landmarks and some artefacts from his time in office as Lord Mayor are preserved at Strutt’s North Mill.
The Knitting Frame
Find out how a mechanical knitting machine invented when Queen Elizabeth I rule England started became the foundation on which the industrial revolution was based.
Two Weathervanes
The Story to two weathervanes that used to a prominent part of the Belper skyline. One is a unique design that links to the towns industrial past while the other bears the scars of an event over 80 years ago.
The Strutt Door
A set of heavy wooden doors that have opened for thousands of people as the entrance to Strutt’s North Mill reveal their surprising past as they feature as this months Our favourite Thing from the collections of Strutt’s North Mill.
A Length of Cotton
Go back to where it all began with a length of cotton as Strutt’s North Mill Gordon explains his choices as his favourite thing from the collection of Strutt’s North Mill.
Mill Workers 1896
Employee photographs taken at an end of era for the Strutt’s mills in Belper and Milford reveal the faces of the workers and more about the lives of Belper and Milford’s residents. Find out more about them in this months “Our Favourite Thing.”
Clay Flower Pots
Clay ‘flower pots’ reveal their surprising role in the development of fire proof building in this months ‘Our Favourite Things’ as former Strutt’s North Mil manager Mark Higginson explores his favourite object from the museum’s collection.
Time is Money – The West Mill Water Wheel TimeBook
The book used to record the operating hours of the Waterwheels of Belper’s former West Mill reveals its secrets. Belper North Mill Trust Secretary Rosemary Annable explores why this is her favourite object.
Lighting the Night – Belper Gas
A length of pipe rescued from a spoil heap in the 1960s reveals how the Strutt family lit their mills as North Mill volunteer Gordon explores his favourite object.