| Description | Gibson Mill, Wadsworth/Heptonstall. Early to mid 19th century cotton mill complex
'Mill, formerly used for cotton spinning. Early to mid C19. Well coursed hammer dressed stone, finer dressed quoins, stone slate roof. 3½ storeys. 2 bands. South east elevation fronts yard. Originally of 6 bays with 2 more added bays to north probably when steam engine was installed. All windows have plain stone surrounds with projecting sills linked to each other by common tiestone interrupting the jambs. Segmental arched cart entry set within 7th bay. Quoins between 6th and 7th bay. Left hand return wall has 3 bays of windows to 2nd floor and 3 closer set windows to attic. Gable stack. Rear has 6 bays of windows. Those to ground floor partly obscured by banking for adjacent mill dam. Rising out of north east corner is tall dressed stack, rectangular on plan, which tapers. Right hand return wall has 3 bays of windows with taking in door to 2nd floor on central bay.
Interior: Finely dressed water channel to basement houses water turbine c.1912. Floors have large spine beams supported by slender cast iron columns. A fine example of a small early C19 water driven textile mill retaining its fenestration, though all the windows lack glazing and are blocked by hardboard. Owned by the National Trust'.
(English Heritage listed building description. Date listed 12/12/1984. http://list.english heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1226169. Web site accessed 18/10/2013).
Gibson Mill was the subject of a National Trust Vernacular Buildings Survey in 1992. The resulting report, which contains photocopies of original photographic prints is held by WYAAS.
In the summary, the report describes Gibson Mill as an early cotton spinning mill forming the centre of a mill complex. It is constructed in well dressed gritstone with gritstone dressings. The main mill portion is of six bays with an extra portion of two bays. The main portion has a flagstone ground floor showing the position of machinery. Other floors are of timber with wooden beams, painted for fire proofing. The windows have internal sloping sills to settle cotton dusk. A chimney is at the west for fireplaces to heat the mill and a large chimney is at the east for the later steam engine. The mill was originally powered by a water wheel. The wheel pit and culvert remain. The ground floor has metal columns for looms and/or other machinery. Evidence for drive shaft mechanisms remain in the east gable. The flagstone roof is carried on five trusses. Below the chimney stack are the original privies. The eastern extension serves as a warehouse, later used as a kitchen.
The historic value of the mill lies in it being a first generation cotton mill associated to its complex range of ancillary buildings. The mill demonstrates rapid development in the early 19th century and also displays the 19th century changes in the textile industry. The mill with associated ponds occupy an important position adjacent to the stream and now contribute to the aesthetic value of the woodland.
The report goes on to provide a detailed historic back ground to the mill and architectural description of the mill and associated features. These include a row of early 19th century workers' cottages (see PRN12868, PRN 12869), a bridge (PRN 12870), a c.1860 weaving shed, mid 19th century stables and a late 19th century engine house.
(National Trust Vernacular Buildings Survey. 1992. 'Gibson Mill, Hardcastle Crags'). |