This week’s Virtual Museum item is a 1938 photograph of the No. 3 Spinning Room staff at Wm. Barbour & Sons Ltd. Hilden Mill. The Barbour Mill at Hilden has deep historical connections with Lisburn, and was a source of employment for many local families.
Two hundred years ago, in 1823 William Barbour bought a former bleach mill at Hilden and built a water-powered twisting mill. It was one of the first water powered mills on the river Lagan. By 1890 William Barbour & Son LTD was considered the largest linen-thread manufacturer in the world. With factories in Ireland, Scotland, and the United States, the firm gave Lisburn a well deserved international reputation.
Do you have any memories of working in the mill? Get in touch and let us know.
