Bradford Industrial Museum is a powerful and exciting monument to the hard work that made Bradford famous throughout the world.

It is situated in Moorside Mills, which was built around 1875 as a small worsted spinning Mill by John Moore. Ownership of the mills changed many times, and they developed and grew.

In 1970, Bradford Council bought Moorside Mills from Messrs. W & J Whitehead to create an innovative museum.

Bradford’s Industrial Museum has permanent displays of textile machinery, steam power, engineering, printing machinery and motor vehicles, along with an exciting exhibitions programme. You can enjoy the splendour of Moorside House where the Mill Manager lived, or visit the Mill-workers’ terraced houses dressed to reflect three different time periods.

The learning team runs regular workshops for schools and groups, with special events and workshops accompanying the exhibitions programme.

The museum recently opened a refurbished row of back-to-back terraces – the Gaythorne Row workers’ cottages. The three back-to-back terraces have been redeveloped to show the social history of Bradford through the living conditions of local people. The first house shows a stark bedroom from 1875; the second represents a typical home during the Second World War in 1942; and the third shows the garish colours of 1975.

In addition to developing the three houses, the Victorian wash day room has been redecorated; a Dig for Victory garden has been created; the privies (outside toilets) have been developed; a 1960s’ hair salon has been created; a new ‘Toys Through the Ages’ exhibition has been installed; and a film showing a brief history of Bradford has been produced.

The opening of the back-to-backs is the culmination of a six-year community project called ‘100 years of Back to Back Living’. This involved volunteers meticulously researching the history of the people who lived in the properties and refurbishing them to reflect their living conditions.

WHAT'S ON THIS SUMMER

Hard Graft: Yorkshire at Work by Terry Sutton Until Sun, Nov 10 2013. Through his illustrations and the work of other photographers, Hard Graft is Terry’s tribute to those whose working lives have shaped our history and formed the foundations of family life.

The Printing Gallery - Every Wednesday Volunteers demonstrate and explain the craft of letterpress printing

Jowett Owners Club reunion rally Saturday Aug 10, 2013. Be amazed at a gathering of historic Jowett motor vehicles lovingly restored to former glory by owners who are only too happy to chat with interested visitors.

Family Activity Day Thurs, Aug 15. Craft activities inspired by Terry Sutton's 'Hard Graft' exhibition currently on display.

Family Activity Day Thurs, Aug 29. Craft activities.

  • Address: Bradford Industrial Museum, Moorside Mills, Moorside Road, Eccleshill, Bradford, BD2 3HP Telephone: 01274 435900 email: industrial.museum@bradford.gov.uk. website: www.bradfordmuseums.org. Opening times Tuesday to Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday & Sunday 11am - 4pm Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday and Mondays except Bank Holidays How to find it Signposted from Bradford Ring Road and Harrogate Road (A658). Buses 645/646 from Market Street or Hall Ings and minibus 896 from Interchange (not Sunday). All buses stop at Moorside Road. On the museum site there is free car parking and disabled car parking. Admission free. Access and facilities - Disabled car parking, lifts, disabled toilets, wheelchairs, walking sticks, Zimmer frames, baby changing unit and public telephone. For further Industrial Museum disabled access information visit DisabledGo. Demonstrations - Textile and Motive Power take place daily. Museum shop - The shop in the museum offers a wide range of souvenirs and gifts including cards, books and toys.