Mill City Museum

Mill City Museum is a Minneapolis-based museum located on the Mississippi River, near the site of the former Washburn A Mill, which was once the largest flour mill in the world. The museum showcases the history of the flour milling industry and the role it played in the development of Minneapolis and the surrounding region, with connections to notable figures like Caleb Dorr, Cadwallader Washburn, and John S. Pillsbury. The museum is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society, which also oversees other historic sites like Fort Snelling and the Alexander Ramsey House. Visitors to the museum can explore exhibits on the history of flour milling, as well as the Great Mill Disaster of 1878, which was a major turning point in the industry, and learn about the contributions of companies like Washburn-Crosby Company and General Mills.

History

The history of the Washburn A Mill dates back to 1874, when it was built by Cadwallader Washburn and became a major player in the flour milling industry, with connections to other notable mills like Pillsbury A Mill and Washburn-Crosby Mill. The mill was destroyed by a dust explosion in 1878, but was rebuilt and continued to operate until it was closed in 1965, with many of its workers going on to work at other General Mills facilities. The site was later abandoned and left to decay, but was rediscovered in the 1990s by the Minnesota Historical Society, which worked with organizations like the National Park Service and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to develop the site into a museum. The museum opened in 2003, with exhibits designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates and Gallagher & Associates, and has since become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from across the United States, including Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles.

Architecture

The museum is located in the ruins of the former Washburn A Mill, which was designed by Charles C. Smith and built using limestone and brick construction, with a style similar to other notable buildings like the Minneapolis City Hall and the Hennepin County Courthouse. The mill's original stone walls and wooden beams have been preserved and incorporated into the museum's design, which was led by Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd. and HGA Architects and Engineers. The museum's architecture is a blend of old and new, with modern exhibits and amenities inserted into the historic structure, and features a glass elevator and a observation deck with views of the Mississippi River and the Minneapolis skyline, including landmarks like the Guthrie Theater and the Stone Arch Bridge.

Exhibits

The museum features a range of exhibits on the history of flour milling and the role it played in the development of Minneapolis and the surrounding region, with connections to notable events like the Great Depression and the World War II effort. Exhibits include a recreated millworker's apartment, a flour milling demonstration area, and a collection of historic mill machinery, including a Allis-Chalmers grain elevator and a Buhler roller mill. The museum also offers interactive exhibits, such as a flour sack-carrying challenge and a grain-trading game, and features artifacts from companies like Pillsbury and General Mills, as well as from organizations like the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

Collections

The museum's collections include a wide range of artifacts related to the history of flour milling, including mill machinery, tools, and equipment, as well as documents and photographs from the Washburn A Mill and other flour mills in the region, including the Pillsbury A Mill and the Washburn-Crosby Mill. The museum also has a collection of flour sacks and grain bags from around the world, including examples from Canada, Mexico, and Australia, and features artifacts from notable companies like Cargill and CHS Inc.. The collections are managed by the Minnesota Historical Society, which also oversees the collections of other historic sites like Fort Snelling and the Alexander Ramsey House.

Operations

The museum is open year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and offers guided tours and self-guided exhibits, as well as a range of educational programs and events, including lectures and workshops on topics like flour milling and Minneapolis history. The museum is managed by a team of staff and volunteers, who work to preserve the history of the Washburn A Mill and the flour milling industry, and partner with organizations like the National Park Service and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to offer joint programs and events, including re-enactments and living history demonstrations. Visitors to the museum can also explore the surrounding Mill Ruins Park, which features a range of public art installations and offers stunning views of the Mississippi River and the Minneapolis skyline. Category:Museums in Minnesota