Gathered the Majority of Acquaintances from Job at Hilden Mill
Hilden Mill, a once-thriving textile factory in Lisburn, County Antrim, has been a significant economic and social pillar for generations, employing numerous families from the region. Beyond merely a workplace, the mill served as a shared link among the community, a symbol of local history.
One such individual who spent part of her youth at Hilden Mill was Shirley McMichael. At the age of 15, she began her employment in the mill's laboratories in 1967. McMichael's responsibilities were focused on testing the quality of the colors, finishes, and threads.
The mill's origins are rooted in the Barbour family's business, a prominent force in the thriving Lisburn linen industry during the Industrial Revolution. This sector grew significantly due to the skilled work of French Huguenot refugees, who introduced innovative textile technologies[1]. However, specific details regarding McMichael's role and experiences at the mill are not elaborated upon in available records.
Hilden Mill continued operations until its closure in 2006, leaving only a much-reduced workforce of 85 individuals[2]. Today, the mill's historical significance within the Northern Irish linen industry remains evident in the region.
[1] Knaack, M. (2011). The Huguenots of Lisburn and The Irish Institution at Lisburn. Ulster Historical Foundation.[2] "Lisburn mill jobs saved." The Belfast Telegraph. October 19, 2006. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
Shirley McMichael's early work life was intertwined with Hilden Mill, as she began her employment in the mill's laboratories in 1967 at the age of 15, testing the quality of colors, finishes, and threads. Reflecting on her past, McMichael's experiences at Hilden Mill likely played a significant role in shaping her lifestyle and home-and-garden decor choices, as the mill's historical significance extended not just to the industrial landscape but also to the lives of those who called it their workplace, their community, and their shared history.
