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Cromford in World History In August 1771 Richard Arkwright began building in Cromford. He created the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mill; a vital step towards full scale factory production. The mills at Cromford with their powered machinery, large workforce and factory village became models for others throughout Britain and abroad. For the Victorians who learnt so much from his example, Arkwright earned the accolade ‘Father of the factory system’. |
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| Richard Arkwright’s achievements
are acknowledged throughout the world. In Germany, at Cromford (just outside Dusseldorf)
and in the United States, at Pawtucket in New England, the first mills using
Arkwright’s technology have been restored and preserved as museums. In this country,
where the story began, the same process is underway. Moreover, the Arkwright Society, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council and Amber Valley Borough Council have put forward a part of the Derwent Valley with Cromford at its head, for World Heritage Status. Inscription by UNESCO as a World Heritage site would be the ultimate confirmation of Cromfords place in the cultural history of the world. |
 Richard Arkwright's Water Frame |
Trouble at the Mill Problems with the water supply c 1840 brought to an textile production at Cromford Mill and the buildings ~ put to other uses. These included a brewery, laundi cheese warehousing and finally, early in the 20th cent the production of colour pigments for paints and dyes. remarkable that so many of the buildings survived this but by 1979 when the Colour Company abandoned the many of them were heavily contaminated with lead chrom It was generally believed the mills had reached the end of their useful life. |
Rescue and Regeneration Cromford Mill is now home to many small businesses educational service providers employing over 100 people The mill project has come to be seen nationally as a m of the economic regeneration that can be achieved heritage context. |
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