SH7972 : The Pin Mill at Bodnant Garden - inscription
taken 7 years ago, near to Graig, Conwy, Wales
Originally constructed as a garden house at Woodchester in Gloucestershire in about 1730.Afterwards it was used as mill for the manufacture of pins – hence the name – but was later used a store for a tannery.
Henry, the 2nd Lord Aberconway, admired the building which by 1938 was in a very dilapidated state of repair. A venture to raise funds for repairs, locally, failed and he then purchased it providing the tanner with a more suitable store.
The estate joiners and masons were sent to dismantle it, carefully numbering each item along with the roof timbers and tiles which were then transported to Bodnant. Here it was re-erected in brick as was the case originally, and rough cast outside.
Various alterations were made including repositioning windows and restoring the ogee shape to the roof.
A staircase was included, designed by the architect,J. Murray Easton, who advised on the other alterations. The staircase was made in the joinery shop of the shipbuilders, John Brown of Clydebank of which Henry was chairman.
After deliberation the current site was selected and work was completed in 1939.
Today it is used as a wedding venue.