Mill City Museum

Mill City Museum is a Minnesota Historical Society museum located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The museum is built into the ruins of the Washburn "A" Mill, which was once the largest flour mill in the world.

History

The Washburn "A" Mill was built by Cadwallader C. Washburn in 1874. It was destroyed by a flour dust explosion in 1878, but was rebuilt by 1880. The mill ceased operations in 1965. In 1991, a fire nearly destroyed the mill, leaving it in ruins. The Minnesota Historical Society announced plans to build a museum on the site in 2001. The Mill City Museum opened in 2003.

Exhibits

The museum features exhibits about the history of Minneapolis, flour milling machinery, a water lab and a baking lab. The "Flour Tower" is a popular exhibit where visitors ride in a freight elevator and view scenes of the mill as it was in the 1870s. The museum also features the film "Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat" by filmmaker Kevin Kling and composer Chan Poling.

Programs and Events

The Mill City Museum offers a variety of programs for adults, families and school groups. These include baking classes, mill tours and a farmers market. The museum also hosts concerts and other special events.

Architecture

The architecture of the Mill City Museum is a blend of old and new. The modern steel and glass structure is built into the ruins of the historic mill. The design was a collaboration between Tom Meyer of Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle and landscape architect Lee Richardson.

See Also

• Minnesota Historical Society
• Washburn "A" Mill
• Cadwallader C. Washburn
• Minneapolis