In 2016 Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) acquired the old Hilden School building. Through a development grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the museum appointed a development officer to assess how the former school could contribute to the regeneration of Hilden, and how best to promote the rich history and heritage of the area. Ben Simon was appointed in 2020 to undertake this work.
The Project
The scheme to refurbish and reinvigorate Hilden School aimed to revitalise the site, and placed the building at the centre of the local community, once again.
The Museum, together with community partners, created design briefs for:
- A heritage exhibition in the former school, celebrating the history and heritage of the area
- A heritage trail from the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum (ILCLM) to Hilden
- Signage and interpretation panels along the heritage trail.
As part of this work, Ben provided regular updates. These are available in the blog, below.
Update:
After being closed for 17 years, Hilden School was officially reopened on 17 September 2025 following a £2 million restoration project in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Resurgam Trust. It’s now a vibrant community hub, housing two new social enterprises: Little Weavers Daycare and The Tea Room at Hilden Mill.
Hilden School: Blog
Community update on Hilden School Refurbishment and Reinvigoration: Delivery Stage 2024-27
