Dr Barrie Trinder explains why the main mill at Shrewsbury Flaxmill/Maltings is a landmark in the history of construction. It is the first building in the world to have a structural frame of iron, and is the ancestor of all iron and steel buildings.
Completed by 1800, to spin fibre from flax plants into thread for making linen cloth, it operated for almost 90 years before Adaption for use as maltings. Closed in 1987 it fell into disrepair before acquisition by Historic England. Its importance was recognised by the 1950s, and was given Grade 1 listed status.
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