The History Of Our Mill (And A Bit Of British History)
Learning about where your favorite scarf or throw comes from can make you appreciate it that much more and take you back to a time where you couldn’t just order something so intricate online! British wool is steeped in history, as is the Bronte By Moon brand.
A Bit On British Wool
Wool has been big business in Britain for thousands of years from the time of the domestication of the first sheep in Europe. Since then the production and trade of wool has been ongoing in and around the UK in waves in reaction to trends, war and industry upheavals. The medieval wool trade (500-1500) was one of the most important factors in the English economy.
In the last few centuries wool has become its own enterprise and a source of national pride in and around Britain. In the 1800s Yorkshire became the wool production hub of Britain because the area accepted advancements in machinery and had the natural resources and transportation available to support it - most notably the soft water and accessible railroad.
The First Mill
Abraham Moon & Sons was founded in 1837 in Guiseley. In the early days Abraham Moon would sell yarn to families or pay weavers to create fabrics out of his yarn and then sell the finished goods to the community. After years of this and a good relationship with the community he expanded his business.
In 1868 he had a three-story mill built in Guiseley. The Yorkshire location was perfect for wool production with soft water ideal for scouring the fleece and a newly built railway to Leeds running right behind the building.
The creation of the mill allowed the company to expand and products to reach customers farther and farther away.
The Present Mill
In 1902 the original mill burnt to the ground but was quickly replaced by a large one-story mill built in its place. The mill also now became fully vertical meaning everything from processing raw fleece, to dyeing, to finishing the fabrics happens on-site.
This is the mill that is still used to this day. The current mill is also one of the few vertical mills still in use in Britain, most wool production does not take place entirely in one facility.
Because of its historic location the wool crafted and processed here retains a historically British quality few are able to replicate. There is truly something in the water!
You can read more about the history of the Abraham Moon company over on www.moons.co.uk/about-us/history/ (to purchase Bronte Moon products in the United States and North America visit brontemoon.com)
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