Yorkshire Evening Post
·Jul 2026
‘It is a real survivor’: Inside Leeds’ 200-year-old mill that built a modern city
Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills is highlighted as a key site preserving Leeds’ industrial heritage, with Keeper Chris Sharp emphasizing its role in showcasing the industries and people that shaped the city. The article traces the mill’s evolution from a 16th‑century fulling mill to the world’s largest woollen mill in 1805 and later a producer of military and electric blanket textiles. The museum’s exhibits, including a working spinning mule and a Victorian schoolroom, continue to engage visitors while community partnerships and exhibitions enrich its programming. Recovery from the 2015 floods spurred major redevelopment, supported by national funding, with restored locomotive sheds set to reopen. The museum’s ongoing mission centers on preserving stories, fostering community involvement and celebrating Leeds’ shared history.