Mill City Museum: The history of flour power
A museum dedicated to the history of flour milling might not sound that interesting, but put it in a historic national landmark and offer fascinating interactive exhibits, and presto, you have Minneapolis’s Mill City Museum.
Once considered the flour milling capital of the world from 1880 to 1930, and known around the globe as “Mill City,” Minneapolis at one time had 20 stone flour mills along its canal. In 1880, the Washburn A Mill, the largest and most technologically advanced mill in the world, opened and produced enough flour each day to make 12 million loaves of bread.
As industry eventually left the city, the old mill closed in 1965, but was renovated in the 1990’s and converted into the Mill City Museum by the Minnesota Historical society. Today the museum is a popular attraction with unique and interactive exhibits dedicated to the history of the mill, the industry and the city.
Museum highlights include the Flour Tower, a media show in an eight-story elevator ride featuring historic film and photographs, sound and special effects. The Water Lab lets visitors learn about waterpower from the St. Anthony Falls, and how the river fueled logging, lumber and flour milling in the region.
The Rail Corridor shows how railroad networks delivered grain, and features an authentic 1879 wooden boxcar. In the Baking Lab, visitors get to grind wheat, bake bread and package food, while the Recipe for a Mill City exhibit includes a giant recipe box.
Meet the Machines features 19th century milling machines connected to a network of pulleys, belts and wheels. Harvesting Wheat lets guests hear about questions faced by farmers past and present, and Global Exchange includes technologies developed overseas that were implemented locally to boost production.
The Wheat Emporium includes displays of paintings, currency, clothing and household items featuring the iconic product, and Promoting Mill Products shows how flour gave rise to companies like General Mills and Pillsbury. Lastly, visitors can visit the Rooftop Observation Deck for a panoramic view of the St. Anthony Falls and Mississippi River.
With so many unusual exhibits, in such a unique and interesting location, the Mill City Museum is a must-see for locals and out-of-towners alike. It’s a museum of history and industry all rolled together.
- by D.J. Siegel, Minneapolis Reporter for HelloMetro
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