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Millwrighting Exhibition and Art Workshop

The Mills Archive Trust, Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4RJ

  • 19 Sep 2026
  • | In person
  • | Pre-booking not required
  • | Exhibition

Explore the story of the millwrights through this exhibition of records held by the Mills Archive Trust, and take part in our drawing and screen printing workshop.

Millwrighting is the craft of building wind and watermills, a tradition inherited from centuries past and a profession on the edge of extinction. The Trust's newly catalogued millwrighting collections span from the 19th century to the present and document the history of this unique craft. Discover the story of local Reading millwright James Phillips and his family, alongside the records of other millwrights and millwrighting firms from engineer William Cubitt (1785-1861) to modern day practitioners, including drawings, photographs and millwrighting tools.

A drop-in art workshop will provide an opportunity to create mill themed art - bring your own items to screen print or create a mill drawing. The event also provides a chance to see inside Watlington House, one of Reading's oldest domestic buildings dating to 1688, and explore its beautiful formal garden.


Timings

Saturday 19 September:
11am-3pm

Location & directions

The Mills Archive Trust, Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4RJ

Directions:
Access is via the front of the house on Watlington Street.
Contact on day:
Nathanael Hodge
Telephone number:
+441189502052

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Unfortunately as this is a very old house it is not wheelchair friendly. The Mills Archive's exhibition is on the first floor of the building, which is accessed by a flight of stairs and there is no lift. There are no disabled loos.

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