Collection: Whitchurch Silk Mill

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The origin of the collections can be traced back through the history of the Mill. The Mill was built around 1815 on the River Test in Whitchurch, Hampshire. It has produced silk yarn since 1817 and has been weaving silk cloth since the 1830s. As a working museum is still weaves silk cloth on machinery installed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

  Through its history the Mill has had several owners, most notably James Hide, who ran it from 1886 until his death in 1955. During his tenure the Mill wove silk linings for the trademark raincoats designed by his brother-in-law Thomas Burberry of Basingstoke. The last commercial owners were Ede and Ravenscroft, makers of academic and legal gowns, who closed the Mill in 1985, by which time the machinery was obsolete and no longer commercially viable, and the building was in poor condition.

  At this time Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust (HBPT) stepped in to rescue it as a rare example of a Georgian textile mill, unique in the south of England. After repairs the Mill was opened to the public as a museum in 1990 under the management of Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust.

  The Buildings and Grounds, Historic Silk Production Collection and Historic Production Archive are owned by Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust. Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust manages the collections on behalf of HBPT. The Management arrangements are set out in the terms of the lease agreement between the two organisations.

  [Clause 1.2] “Demised Premises” means all that piece or parcel of land situate at Whitchurch in Hampshire shown edge red on the Plan together with the silk mill and other buildings standing on such land at any time during the Term (but no including any part of the property shown coloured blue on the Plan (comprising inter alia the mill stream) or any fishing rights therein and the installations looms fixtures and fittings now in and belonging to the said land and buildings specified in the First Schedule hereto”

  A total of 12 looms and other historic machinery remain in their original positions in the Mill and are still set up to work and weave the silk. It is a charitable objective of WSMT to weave silk, in so doing preserving the machinery and skills to operate them and delighting visitors. The ‘Production Archive – Accessioned collection’ embodies, represents and evidences weaving at the Mill since 1990, and includes bespoke work for private and commercial clients and our own designs. The ‘General Collection – Accessioned collection’ includes items made from our silk cloth, which can include artworks and banners, in addition to photographs and items purchased or donated to WSMT.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  There are five collections in the management of WSMT, which are divided into two categories of ownership: those which form part of the WSMT permanent accessioned collection and those which are cared for by Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust on behalf of HBPT.

  1. The Buildings and Grounds – On loan

  These are owned by HBPT and maintained by WSMT in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement between the two organisations.  The Mill itself is a Grade II* Listed Building dating from 1815.

  2. Historic Silk Production – On loan

  The production machinery is predominantly Victorian and covers all processes in the production of woven silk – from substantial items such as looms to smaller items such as bobbins and baskets.  These are all owned by HBPT and maintained and operated by WSMT in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement between the two organisations:

  3. Historic Production Archive (up to 1989) – On loan

  This consists of the written records and samples relating to the silk produced at the Mill during its working life (up to 1989).  The archive belongs to HBPT and forms a critical component of the historic collections, providing much of the underpinning context. This collection contains about 2000 objects.

  4. Production Archive – Accessioned collection

  This consists of the written records and samples relating to the silk produced at the Mill during its working life since 1989.  The archive belongs to WSMT and forms a critical component of the collections, providing much of the underpinning context. This collection currently contains about 1000 objects.

  5. General Collection – Accessioned collection

  This consists of items relating to all aspects of the Mill’s history and the historic production of silk and other textiles, not included in the four core collections.  These objects belong to WSMT and are held in order to support the charitable objectives of the Trust.  The collection includes items made at the Mill, artwork made with Whitchurch silk, photographs, related to historic textile production and other similar items. This collection currently contains about 9,000 objects.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC