The White Factory
The White Factory
The White Factory, presently the seat of the Central Museum of Textiles, erected in the years 1835-1886 by the family of Ludwig Geyer, immigrant from Saxony, is the example of magnificent industrial architecture, the beauty of which was finally appreciated in the 21st century. The four-wing mill with the building of the Old Boiler House in the middle of a big courtyard, with a high chimney, two dust towers and two water-towers is a unique solution of industrial architecture, unobserved in other mills. Changing vicissitudes, ups and downs, prosperity and sudden falls, fires and re-constructions left a lasting trace on the outer looks of the building, but never changed the original plans. The biggest changes in the destination and looks of the oldest and multi-department Łódź mill started in 1955 in then moment when decision was taken to make it a seat of the Museum of the History of Textiles. The first overhaul and building works started in 1958 and were then limited to the western wing (the oldest one erected in 1835-1837) founded near Piotrkowska street and the southern one. Major repair meant in fact adaptation of old factory halls to the needs of a museum, i.e. creating exhibition spaces, storehouses, offices and inner communication (new staircases). It is apparently the first and one of the first in the world adaptations of post-industrial architecture for the museum needs, which retained everything from the original construction and the looks of the building to satisfy the needs of the museum. In 1972-1975 works in the western wing were continued, where exhibition spaces were organized. New main entrance was made in the northern corner. A little bit earlier, during refitting in 1962-1964, northern wing was subject to the biggest changes (dating back to 1838) – intended for exhibits’ storehouse and technical premises. Glass corridors were built to the elevation from the courtyard side. During the next overhaul in 2001-2002 historical looks were given back to it (glass wall was replaced by brick wall with wooden and metal windows). Over the wing a small dust tower was reconstructed.
In 1981 refurbishing was started in the Old Boiler House. Moulder crown of the wall was remade and elevated a bit (without any change of the roof silhouette), which allowed to make in the one bigger room a spacious entresol. In the building, steam machine was placed (the original from 1837 was not preserved), which came from Geyer factory, but, as a “weak one”, it worked in the brick-yard in the outskirts of the city. In the water-tower adjoining the boiler house offices were organized. It was only in 2002 when major repair of the octagonal chimney – (1837) “difficult” for conservation and first in Łódź – was brought to an end. The southern wing (1847) was first repaired in 1989-1992. At that time rafter framing of the roof was replaced and the roof itself was covered with copper tin. In 1998-2000 renovation works were carried on in the southern wing – the most beautiful from the architectonic point of view and- again – the western one. Iron windows were replaced consequently by wooden ones.
In the course of all these years, the youngest (1886), and at the same time the biggest wing – the eastern one – lied beyond adaptation possibilities. It closes the rectangle, in which, year by year, magnitude of the, once strong, textile industry died out. The Cotton Mill ESKIMO ceased exploitation of the White Factory in 1990 and was liquidated finally in 2002. In the same year the last wing of the complex was given to the Museum. The rectangular, post-industrial complex has one host – the Central Museum of Textiles.
In 2002 tender was announced and solved for the conception of architectonic organization of the last wing of the White Factory. It was the starting point for application for the European funds. The idea returned to found an open-air museum in the park adjoining the museum.
In 2006-2008, thanks to the European and Municipal funds, investment was carried, which gave the museum additional surface of 4 110 square meters in the eastern wing (the whole museum has 16 000 square meters), open-air museum, overhauled back elevations, inside courtyard (1 730 square meters), “cast-iron” courtyard (1 132 square meters), overhauled building adjoining the mill baths (1907; 207 square meters, which is intended for a café).
The last wing included into the museum – the eastern one – houses magnificent exhibition spaces (1st Prize for the Space of the Year), reading room, technical facilities, hall with working weaving and knitting machines. Apart from exhibitions symposia and concerts are organized here, fashion shows and even wedding ceremonies.
When adaptation of “postindustrial wall” was started in the 1950s to meet the historical-artistic-technical requirements of a museum, nobody – either in Poland or abroad – thought of this adaptation as unprecedented theoretical or practical problem. Worth underlying is the fact that all persons responsible for renovation of the Geyer factory cared for the most precise preservation of the magnificent historical substance.
Marcin Oko
Deputy Director
Central Museum of Textiles
He came to Łódź from Saxony in 1828. He established a textile workshop, firstly based on commission production. In 1833 he imported from Vienna the first roller machine for multi-colour cotton print (it was 100 times more effective than hand printing tables). In 1835-1839, with support of the Polish Kingdom, he erected on a square in Piotrkowska street 282 the first in Łódź mechanical spinning room, weaving room and cotton printing workshop. Pioneer of technical progress in the Łódź cotton industry, Geyer imported machines for production in these spaces from Cockerill Brothers in Belgium. In 1838 he had the first steam machine installed (60 KM power, which drove 180 looms, the set of spinning machines and auxiliary machines). In mid-19th century with ca. 700 workers employed, it was the biggest and the most modern textile mill in the Polish Kingdom. Geyer invested part of his capital into land property in Ruda Pabianicka, where he established a sugar-mill, a alcohol distillery and steam mill.
He was known for his charity. In his mill he organized elementary school for children of workers from his factory and health service. As outstanding citizen of the city he chaired numerous social committees: municipal hospital, real school, poor support. Until today, the Łódź Male Singer Society is active.
In opinions of his contemporaries his professional competence, arduousness, unusual energy and modesty of life style are underscored; yet, also his difficult and vehement character. For many years Geyer was considered “first citizen of Łódź” and in spite of many misfortunes, he enjoyed fame of outstanding industry man.
Piotr Jaworski
Galeria
