Carrying the Legacy Forward: From Mill to Modern Craft

The story of the Catt family does not end with the loss of Hamlins Mill. Instead, it evolves — transforming from traditional milling into a new form of craftsmanship, while still holding tightly to its roots.

Across history, glassmaking has always been closely tied to skill, patience, and tradition. From early alchemists and scientists using glass vessels for experimentation, to the development of refined techniques such as lampworking, the craft has required both precision and artistry. Like milling, it is a practice passed down through generations — shaped by hands, experience, and dedication.

Glassmaking, particularly lampworking, has long relied on the ability to manipulate materials under heat, using tools and flame to shape something both functional and beautiful. Even today, despite modern equipment, the craft still depends heavily on the skill of the maker — much like the millers who once relied on wind, machinery, and instinct to produce flour.

A New Chapter Begins

Today, that same spirit of craftsmanship continues through the granddaughter of Gilbert Catt, who is carrying the family legacy forward in a new and creative direction.

Through her work under the name “Class in Glass,” she is preserving not just a craft, but a connection to her family’s past. Her work reflects the same principles that defined earlier generations — care, skill, and a deep respect for traditional methods — while expressing them through glass art and photography.

Although the materials and techniques may differ from milling, the underlying values remain the same. Both trades require patience, creativity, and an understanding of how to transform raw materials into something meaningful.

Restoring the Past, Building the Future

Looking ahead, there are plans to bring the story full circle.

Joanna Crittenden is working towards restoring the mill site and transforming it into a centre for the arts — a place where history and creativity can exist side by side. This vision includes a space for:

  • Glasswork
  • Photography
  • Painting
  • Music
  • Artistic workshops and collaboration

Rather than allowing the site’s history to fade, this project aims to bring it back to life, not as a working mill, but as a creative hub that honours what once stood there.

The mill, which was once a place of production and industry, will become a place of expression — continuing to serve the community, but in a new and meaningful way.

Preserving Heritage Through Creativity

What makes this story so powerful is the continuity.

From wind-driven stones grinding grain, to hands shaping molten glass, the thread that connects each generation is the act of creating. The tools have changed, the environment has changed, but the essence remains — a commitment to craft and a desire to build something lasting.

By continuing her work through Class in Glass, and by planning the restoration of the mill as an arts centre, Joanna Crittenden is ensuring that the Catt family legacy is not only remembered, but actively lived.

A Living Story

The history of the Catt family is not just something to be recorded — it is something still unfolding.

From the rise of David Catt as a mill owner, to the resilience shown through fires and rebuilding, to the modern transformation into art and creativity, this is a story of adaptation, strength, and vision.

Where the mill once stood as a symbol of industry, a new chapter is emerging — one that blends heritage with creativity, and past with future.

And through this, the legacy of the Catts continues.

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