There are in fact three museums on the site with the earliest building dated at 1813. One houses costumes and handles conservation, one is a working Victorian Silk Mill ( with a restored Jacquard loom operated by attendants, many of whom worked in the silk mills which were in operation until 1981 ) and a third site documents Silk Manufacturing and displays, and that one is where the pennants will be exhibited. This building was built in 1877 and was once The Macclesfield School of Art where many designers were trained for the silk industry. Just a few facts: Macclesfield was once the world's biggest producer of finished silk and can be traced back to the silk route to China. The design and production of silk neckwear has been one of Macclesfield's most enduring industries. During the second world war, silk was created for use in parachutes, maps and powder bags and there is a recently redeveloped display " Secret Work of Macclesfield During the War", which I am sure is fascinating.
The Silk Museum's vast archive includes working power looms, a huge collection of pattern books dating back to the 1800's, machine embroidery, silk fabrics, intricately decorated and embroidered couture clothing and every day fashion. The collection and library are consulted by researchers from all over the world.
What a wonderful place to have your work hung in an exhibit! Join me next month when the pennants will be exhibited at the Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton, a city to which I have a sentimental connection.
As an aside: For those of you who might be rhythm and blues fans like myself, Macclesfield is also the birthplace ( 1933) of John Mayall, ( the Blues Breakers ) the father of British Blues
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