Blackburn’s role in the Lancashire cotton industry accelerated the growth of the borough during the Industrial Revolution. Mills manufactured cotton products and other companies produced auxiliary materials for the industry such as factory machinery, mining and rope. Blackburn became a transport hub in order to cater for the industry with the expansion of the railway and canal in the town.

The museum houses a large collection of industrial items and these can be found in both the Skill and Labour Gallery and the Cottontown Gallery on the ground floor. Cottontown is currently undergoing redevelopment allowing us to tell the wider story of the local and global impact of Blackburn’s involvement in the cotton industry.

Alongside cotton other industries found their home in the borough and thrived including brewing, mining, paper-making, paint and ceramic production as well as many others.

In the twentieth century as the cotton industry started to decline other light engineering industries became increasingly dominant in the area. Companies such as electronic components made by Mullards and munitions made by the Royal Ordnance Factory were two of the biggest employers in the area.