Mill City Museum
Architectural Background |
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Architectural Background
Originally designed by Austrian engineer William de la Barre and declared the world's largest flour mill after its completion in 1880, the structure housing Mill City Museum is a National Historic Landmark. Known as the Washburn A Mill, it was nearly destroyed by fire in 1991.
After the City of Minneapolis, working through the Minneapolis Community Development Agency, cleaned up the rubble and fortified the mill's charred walls, the Minnesota Historical Society announced its intention to construct a milling museum and education center within the ruins.
Faced with how to preserve the ruins of this historically significant site while building a modern museum, the Society turned to Thomas Meyer, principal of Minneapolis architectural firm Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd. A 30-year industry veteran, Meyer developed a concept that melded the historic integrity of the mill structures with modern components. Construction on the museum began in March 2001.
When possible, Meyer's design has left intact many features of the original mill, including flour bins, milling machinery, the engine house, rail corridor and a wheat house. He also has used limestone, brick, concrete and steel within the museum to emphasize its industrial origins.
Among the new architectural features is an eight-story glass facade overlooking the Mississippi River. True-to-scale graphics of the milling machines are featured on the glass façade to give visitors an idea of how massive the milling process was. The facade forms a reflective backdrop for the weathered masonry walls that frame a 100-by-100 foot, open-air courtyard formed by the 1991 fire. Ruins of the historic mill are showcased in the courtyard through significant excavation efforts.
Interior spaces include hands-on exhibits such as a Baking Lab, Water Lab and the Flour Tower - an eight-story elevator ride that enables visitors to experience the powerful, noisy, industrial process that turned wheat into flour. A rooftop observation deck offers sweeping views of the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge and Mill Ruins Park. Mill City Museum also includes a gift shop and café.
