The Derwent Valley Mills and Their Communities
ISBN: 0-9541940-3-9
Price: £18.00 + P&P
This recently reprinted lavishly illustrated book tells the story of the historic events during the 18th century which took place between Matlock Bath and Derby in the Derwent Valley as the new factory system was born and took shape.
The mills at Masson, Cromford, Belper, Milford, Darley Abbey and Derby are a daily reminder of how indelibly these first steps towards industrialisation have left their mark and shaped the landscape. But the factory system was as much about people as it was about inventions and factory buildings. The thousands of cottages in the former mill communities bear their own witness to the generations upon whose toil the factory system depended.
This book has its originations in the government’s nomination of the Derwent Valley Mills to UNESCO for World Heritage Status. The detailed evaluation of the historic importance of the area and inventory of the historic heritage assets created for this provide the basis for this publication.
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The Strutts and the Arkwrights
by R S Fitton & A P Wadsworth
ISBN: 978-0-9541940-5-5
Price: £18 + P&P
A long-held ambition by historians and industrial archaeologists was fulfilled in 2001 when the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognised the importance of the Derwent Valley Mills - including Arkwright's first water-powered cotton mill at Cromford, and the Strutt's mills at Belper - by inscribing them on to The World Heritage List. The developments in the Derwent Valley during the late 18th century led to immense and lasting technological and cultural changes which resonated around the planet.
The global importance of the mills, and the people who built them, was recognised by Robert S Fitton and Alfred P Wadsworth, whose endeavours in the 1950s to research the relationships and personalities which shaped the birth of the factory system resulted in The Strutts and the Arkwrights in 1958. It is thanks to them that information was available which helped and inspired others to seek the highest possible recognition for Cromford, Belper and the other Derwent Valley Mills 43 years later.
This book had been out of print for over 40 years, but has now been reprinted by the Derwent Valley Mills Educational Trust. Proceeds from the sale of this book will fund future publications about the Derwent Valley Mills and related topics.
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The Arkwrights: Spinners of Fortune
by R S Fitton
ISBN: 978-0-9541940-4-8
Price: £18 + P&P
In 2001, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognised the importance of the Derwent Valley Mills - including Richard Arkwright's first water-powered cotton mill at Cromford, and his showcase mill at Masson - by inscribing them on to The World Heritage List.
This fulfilled a long held ambition by historians and industrial archaeologists that proper recognition should be given to the developments that took place in the Derwent Valley in the late 18th century which led to immense and lasting technological and cultural changes resonating around the planet.
One academic historian who would surely have been pleased to hear of the inscription, had he still been alive, was Robert Fitton, the author of this book. Fitton died in 1987, but his commitment to discovering the truth about Richard Arkwright, his ambition and drive, his successor and their accomplishments, resulted in this book, the most thoroughly researched and complete biography of Richard Arkwright to date, and his life's work. Fitton was methodical in his research and painstakingly fitted together the surviving documents from Arkwright's time to provide a detailed history of a man whose ideas transformed the way society works today. Thanks to his endeavours, that information was available to help and inspire others to seek the highest possible recognition for the Derwent Valley Mills in 2001.
Proceeds from the sale of this book will fund future publications about the Derwent Valley Mills and related topics.
To enquire or purchase this publication please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Derwent Valley Mills Souvenir Guide
ISBN: 978-0-9541940-2-4
Price: £4.99 + P&P
A guide to the East Midland's only World Heritage Site.
'A beautiful valley studded with historic mills'
Please complete and return to the postal address enclosing cheque payable to Derbyshire County Council.
