A £1.4million fundraising appeal has been launched to complete the restoration of Quarry Bank Mill.
The Mill, which is cared for by the National Trust, helped drive the Industrial Revolution between the 1780s and 1920s and was at the heart of cotton production in the region.
The appeal, which was launched today, aims to complete its restoration and bring Quarry Bank's stories to life so they can be shared with thousands of schoolchildren, families and other visitors.
Eleanor Underhill, Quarry Bank's General Manager said "Quarry Bank Mill is an extraordinary place that captures a precious time in this country's history.
"It's no wonder this industrial era featured so heavily in the Olympics' opening ceremony last year. Through this appeal we want to be able to share its deep history and personal stories with millions."
Built by the Greg family, the estate offered housing for adult workers and a village complete with chapels, a village school, a shop, allotments and a farm to provide food for the mill community.
Today, the Mill, with its working machinery, the Apprentice House that was occupied by the children who worked there, along with gardens and walks, are among the features that are already enjoyed by more than 130,000 visitors a year.
However, many other original features of the Quarry Bank estate remain unrestored and unseen, along with fascinating archives and records of the family, workers and the children which are not yet available to the public.
Jane Speller, Archive and Collections Officer, said: "We don't yet know fully what objects and archive material we have in the collection. Some work has been done – but being able to digitise material will really help in discovering the full extent of what we have here, as well as allowing wider public access to this amazing collection."
The £1.4 million appeal has been launched to enable the full Quarry Bank estate to be restored and revealed and to ensure its long-term conservation.
The Quarry Bank project will include the restoration of a mill worker's cottage in Styal village; opening up the Northern Woods – the former pleasure grounds of the Greg family; transforming Quarry Bank House – home to Samuel Greg, Quarry Bank's founder, into a place where local people can explore the massive Quarry Bank archive which contains a wealth of as yet unexplored and fascinating material - such as the indentures and medical records of all 860 apprentice workers.
When fully analysed, the archives, which will be made available, will give a wonderful picture of working life and practices at Quarry Bank from the early days of the 1790s to the last working years of the 20th century.
Funds will also go towards restoring those parts of the estate in need of more urgent restoration – such as the rare 19th century iron glasshouses in the kitchen garden. Currently derelict, they will eventually be restored to their former glory when they were used to grow exotic flowers and fruit for the Greg family table.
Eleanor Underhill added "As part of the project, we will be inviting volunteers and local communities to help restore key parts of Quarry Bank and develop their own restoration and conservation skills that can be passed on to future generations.
"Quarry Bank is both a unique site and very magical place, enjoyed by many visitors, but we have so much more to do to complete the jigsaw and enable everyone to experience the history of the whole estate. We can't do this without funds so we hope that the public will be able to help us realise this dream and play their own part in Quarry Bank's story."
The total cost of the project is £6million and is expected to take five years to complete. The National Trust is appealing to the public and to various funding bodies and organisations.
To make a donation to the Quarry Bank appeal, for special online fundraising games and for the Mill's opening times visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarrybankappeal or call 01625 527468 opt 6.
The National Trust has recreated pictures from the mill's history with the current staff. Click 'next photo' above or play the slideshow to see before and after pictures.
1. The workers: a group of workmen including mill 'overlookers' sitting in the Mill Yard, 1890s. Quarry Bank's General Manager, Eleanor Underhill (front row right), with staff and volunteers in the Mill Yard
2. The Village: villagers gather outside Oak Cottages in Styal Village. 21st century inhabitants of Styal Village outside Oak Cottages.
