On Wednesday, August 27th, our group visited the Quarry Bank Mill just outside of Manchester which is one of the best preserved textile mills from the British Industrial Revolution and specialized in the cotton industry. Samuel Greg founded the mill in 1784 and built a cotton empire.
To begin our tour, our guide first lead us to Styal Village which consisted of apartments for the workers in the mill. On the way to the apartments, we passed the Greg home which was almost directly attached to the mill (unusual for mill owners at the time). Samuel's wife, Hannah Greg, was sympathetic towards the mill workers particularly the children and wanted to keep a close eye on the conditions of the mill (she was quite progressive for her time, go Hannah!). In order to get from the mill to the village, the workers had to walk about a quarter mile to their homes. I found it very interesting to be walking through the open fields and walk the very same path that the workers had walked in the 18th-19th century! Once in the village, the guide pointed out the two churches surrounding the village, as well as a small school house for the children who worked in the mill (Hannah Greg made great efforts to make sure that the children were moderately cared for considering the situation). There was also a shop within the village where workers could save up for assorted items such as shoes, clothing, or special treats. Today, the apartment buildings are actually open to the public to rent or buy however apartment #13 is kept in the same condition for historical records.
We then visited the Apprentice House, which was where orphaned children who worked in the mill would stay. The first floor was a schoolhouse for the children as well as a kitchen for making a majority of the meals. Samuel Greg, who was seen as a more compassionate mill owner, insisted that the children receive three meals a day as he believed that the happier and healthier the workers were, the more productive they would be inside the mill, thus increasing profits. Breakfast consisted of cold porridge that would be scooped into the workers right hand (no need for plates or spoons!), and lunch and dinner would vary, although it usually consisted of some type of bread. The upstairs consisted of a large bedroom which was meant to hold over 90 children! The side of the house was dedicated to the children that would fall ill and after listening to the ways in which they treated illness back in the 18th century, it seemed that most tried to avoid sickness at all costs! (lets just say that leeches were involved)
After touring the Apprentice House, we took a break for lunch and since it was a gorgeous day most of us decided to sit outside the local cafe. Once we were done eating, we explored the gardens surrounding the mill and saw multiple people picnicking with their families.
When our lunch break was over, we regrouped and toured the inside of the Quarry Bank Mill. The tour was just about two hours so we were able to catch quite a grasp of the conditions that these workers endured. We walked through multiple exhibits which explained the life of the mill workers but what particularly interested me was seeing the machinery used to make cotton cloth. The exhibit workers even turned on machines to demonstrate the noise and dangerous conditions that mill workers faced on a daily basis. Accidents occurred all the time at the mill and workers often developed Byssinosis (cotton in the lungs) from poor air quality. The average living age back then was only 35! (scary to think about considering I'm 20)
One exhibit worker turned on three machines at the same time and I personally thought the noise was unbearable. I was absolutely shocked to learn that it was normal for 310 machines just like the ones I listened to be working all at the same time in the very same room that we were stationed!! The thought of working with that noise for 12 hours a day on a 6 day work week was unfathomable! While the Greg family was more tolerable and provided better working/living conditions then most mill owners, particularly Hannah, the lives that these workers lived must have been horrific.
On a brighter note, on Thursday, August 28th, I found out my housing for the upcoming Michaelmas Fall term! I will be staying in Lonsdale College which was my first choice. Their motto is "simply the best." Can't wait!
Until next time then!
xoxo
One exhibit worker turned on three machines at the same time and I personally thought the noise was unbearable. I was absolutely shocked to learn that it was normal for 310 machines just like the ones I listened to be working all at the same time in the very same room that we were stationed!! The thought of working with that noise for 12 hours a day on a 6 day work week was unfathomable! While the Greg family was more tolerable and provided better working/living conditions then most mill owners, particularly Hannah, the lives that these workers lived must have been horrific.
On a brighter note, on Thursday, August 28th, I found out my housing for the upcoming Michaelmas Fall term! I will be staying in Lonsdale College which was my first choice. Their motto is "simply the best." Can't wait!
Until next time then!
xoxo
