The Etruscan Bone & Flint Mill dated 1857 is located on Lower Bedford Street on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Etruria.
It forms part of the Etruria Industrial Museum situated at the junction of the Trent and Mersey and Caldon canals. The Etruria Industrial Museum and Heritage Centre is the home of Jesse Shirley’s 1857 Bone and Flint Mill, the only remaining operational Steam Driven Potters' Mill in the world. (
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The date is displayed on the front the property overlooking the canal. The coordinates given are taken from the Trent and Mersey canal towpath facing the mill.
The date stone is inscribed as follows;
'ETRUSCAN
BONE & FLINT MILL
ERECTED 1857
J.S.'
J.S. are the initials of the original mill owner Jesse Shirley.
Jesse Shirley was born in Etruria on 17 November 1848. He was educated at Alfieri's Academy, Northwood, Hanley, and was in partnership with his brother, H. B. Shirley in the firm of Jesse and H. B. Shirley, bone and flint mills, Etruria.
"The Etruscan Mill was built in 1857 alongside the Trent and Mersey Canal. The Mill's purpose was to grind materials for the agricultural and pottery industries, such as cattle bone and flint. Bone meal was used by farmers as a fertiliser. Ground, burnt bone is added to Cornish stone and china clay at the pottery factory to make bone china.
The Mill only ceased production in 1972 with the process and machinery virtually unchanged.
In 1975 the Mill was scheduled as an Ancient Monument."
"This interesting example of industrial architecture, on the banks of the Trent and Mersey Canal adjacent to the Summit Locks, is the Etruscan Flint Mill, erected in 1857. At one time such mills were essential to the pottery industry and quite a common sight, but, alas, very few now exist, although I believe this one, with its superb beam engine, will be reprieved and converted into a museum.
The introduction of flint into the manufactory of pottery is shrouded in mystery, but one theory attributes its discovery to Thomas Astbury of Shelton, who, about the turn of the 18th century, stopped at an inn in Dunstable and noticed the soft and delicate nature of fine flint-stone used by an ostler as a remedy for a disorder in his horse's eyes. This suggested to him the idea of using it in the pottery trade.
About 1720, considerable improvements were made by using calcined flintstone, at first as a wash or dip, and afterwards incorporating it with the clays. A mixture of flint with the local clays was the basis of the white stoneware which became the staple commodity of the district for several years.
The original method of preparing the flint-stone was to pound it into a dry state and then sift it through a fine mesh, but this proved harmful to the workmen. By the mid-18th century, new machinery had been perfected for working the flint which was far more efficient and also eliminated health hazards. The flints were first doused with water to prevent the dust rising and then crushed to the consistency of sand by two giant millstones. The crushed flint was then conveyed into circular vats that contained large iron balls which were driven round by the waterwheel at such speed that the flint was ground as fine as oil. With the introduction of steam engines all previous sources of power, such as windmills and waterwheels, became obsolete."
Neville Malkin 2nd July 1975
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The Former Bone Mill is Grade II* listed. A description of the buildings is as follows;
"Brick with Welsh slate roofs. Complete range of buildings including calcining kiln, bone crushing workshops and engine house.
Calcining kiln to the left, a square section base tapering to cap, adjoining the main workshop range of 2 storeys, with 6 upper windows (one now a door approached up 20th Century steps) with lower windows and door now partly below ground level. Engine house adjoins to the right, with pedimented gables and full height round arched window.
Inscribed stone in apex reads: "Etruscan Bone Mill 1857 Jesse Shirley". Single storeyed workshop with tiled roof adjoins to the right, and set back behind the engine house, a tall square section chimney.
Inside, all the working equipment survives, restored as a working museum." (
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A detailed description of the mill and the processes carried out there can be found at the following links. (
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The Mill can be seen on the following YouTube link: (
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Etruria Industrial Museum
What’s on in 2019
At present the museum and mill are only open for steaming weekends and by appointment. The steaming weekends and supporting events for 2019 are:
6-7 April - Spring at Etruria
1-2 June - Etruria Canals Festival
3-4 August - James Watt Bicentenary Event
14-15 September - Vintage Stationary Engine Rally on Saturday : Classic Vehicles on Sunday
30 November -1 December - Christmas at a Victorian Mill
During steaming weekends the mill will be in steam from 12.30 to 16.30pm with the engine starting on the hour. Guided tours commence at 20 minutes past the preceding hour. Please be in the engine house 10 minutes before each steaming starts.
Admission charges during public openings
Mill not in steam: Entry only – Adults £3.00 per person OR Guided tour Adults £5.00 per person
Mill in Steam: Entry only – Adults £4.00 per person OR Guided tour – Adults £6.00 per person
Young people under 16 free when accompanied by a paying adult
Special opening and groups by application to info@etruriamuseum.org.uk or 07900267711
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