Built into the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, the Mill City Museum has become one of the most unique attractions in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Even though it closed in the 1960s and was almost totally destroyed by a fire in the 1990s, the Minnesota Historical Society was nonetheless able to develop a museum on the site that simultaneously embraces the past while creating a legacy for the future.
The Flour Milling Capital of the World
The Mill City Museum was built within the ruins of the National Historical Landmark Washburn A Mill, the largest and most technologically advanced flour mill when it was completed in 1880. The factory first opened its doors to begin processing flour in 1874. Built by Cadwallader C. Washburn on the shores of the Mississippi in what would become the heart of Minneapolis, the mill was in a prime location to harness the power of the river and the resources of the flourishing city.
Minneapolis was the flour milling capital of the world from 1880-1930, the time when the mill could produce over 2 million pounds of flour per day. The mill operated smoothly until 1928, when an equipment malfunction caused a fire to break out, gutting the mostly wooden interior of the building. After the smoke and debris cleared, new concrete pillars and flooring were installed that would prevent the spread of fire should it occur again.
By the 1960s, changes in transportation rates, tariff rates, and energy technology led the industry to move out of Minneapolis, and the old mills fell into disuse. The Washburn A Mill closed in 1965. While the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1983, it sat vacant except for occasional tenants, curiosity seekers, and homeless people seeking shelter. A 1991 fire consumed all of the building except for the concrete of the interior and crumbling limestone walls.
Rather than demolish the remains, the city cleared the rubble and reinforced the mill’s damaged walls. Further efforts by the Minnesota Historical Society to save the remains of the mill would eventually see the Mill City Museum opened to the public in September 2003. The museum was designed to be a place where the history of the flour mill would be highlighted but would also create a variety of unique experience for various visitors.
Seeing and Experiencing the History of the Flour Industry
Visitors of all ages can learn about the intertwined histories of the flour industry, the river, and the city of Minneapolis at the Mill City Museum. Pieces of history that range from flour milling machines to vintage advertising are combined with numerous hands-on experiences across the museum.
The Flour Tour elevator allows visitors to travel through eight levels of the building and back through time, as they experience the sights and sounds of the workers and machines that made Minneapolis the flour milling capital of the world. Scenes of the old mill are displayed while former workers share their stories as visitors are literally carried through life at the Washburn A Mill.
The Baking Lab contains exhibits, demos, and samples of fresh-baked treats. Flour milling companies tested and perfected their flours in these areas that were essentially the original test kitchens. Visitors can eat freshly baked samples and see exhibits that showcase the story of these kitchens.
The Observation Deck provides visitors with a panoramic view of the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls, and the Ruin Courtyard. The footprints of the old mill’s machinery along the walls and in the ground can be seen in this Courtyard and can be experienced in different ways from up top or on the ground.
This combination of experiences and attractions has helped to define the culture of the area while also opening up numerous direct and indirect economic opportunities for the museum and beyond.
Events, Exhibits and a Farmers Market
There is a cost for admission to the Mill City Museum, but that’s hardly the only source of direct revenue for the site. A gift shop contains multiple items for sale, many of which can also be purchased online. Items range from books to aprons to posters, showcasing options that appeal to both residents and tourists.
Bushel & Peck is the café located inside Mill City Museum. It features a weekday menu as well as a weekend brunch menu along with wine and beer options every day. The space also contains changing exhibits that are free to the public during regular museum hours. Additionally, various types of tours are available for purchase while donations to the Minnesota Historical Society are also easy to make.
These exhibits aren’t the only happenings at the Museum though. The Mill City Museum plays host to a variety of events of all types all year long that range from concert series to day camps. These one-off and seasonal events are in addition to the Mill City Farmer’s Market, which runs for nearly the entire year as a Saturday Market and Winter Market.
The Mill City Farmers Market is Minneapolis’s trusted source for healthy, local, and organic groceries, bringing a wide assortment of fresh food, cooking education, and live entertainment to one place. Items from more than 60 local farmers, food makers, artists and artisans are readily available and serve as an important element to and for the surrounding community.
This involvement from and with the community has allowed the Mill City Museum to serve as an important agent of growth for the surrounding community. It’s part of the reason why the site has become an important part of many maps and brochures that are designed to attract people to the area. The Museum illustrates how landmarks can honor the history of an area while also transforming it into something truly monumentous.
A Legacy of Creation and Transformation
Just like other museums that have created something out of nothing and ones that have effectively helped to repurpose a space, the Mill City Museum has been able to create and transform an area and history that would otherwise have been lost. In doing so, the Mill City Museum has come to define a legacy that is just as much about the past of Minneapolis as it is the future of Minnesota as a whole.
