A lost painting of Cumbria's industrial heritage is to return to the county thanks to Cumbria County Council and some transatlantic generosity.
The 19th Century painting of Eskdale Mill was discovered thousands of miles away in America by a Colorado based dentist who, after some probing, decided to return the picture to its roots in Cumbria.
The water damaged picture by Birmingham artist William Stone is thought to be worth around £1,000 and has been restored thanks to a grant by Cumbria County Council.
The county council owned and developed the Mill as a visitor attraction since the 1970's but took the decision last year to sell the site to the Eskdale Mill and Heritage Trust to enable it, as a charitable trust, to access restoration resources unavailable to the council.
The county council's Acting Head of Culture, Bruce Bennsion will present the painting to members of the Trust at their annual general meeting on Saturday 4 August.
Councillor Roger Bingham, cabinet member responsible for Cultural activities in the county, said: "The painting provides an important visual link with Eskdale Mill's past and the council is proud to have played its part in returning it to the county."
The Mill, thought to be one of the only medieval two-wheel mills left in the Britain, gives visitors a window into what it was like to live and work in rural Cumbria hundreds of years ago.
Records show that milling has taken place on the site for over 500 years and that the present group of buildings is at least 300 years old. The historical importance of the Mill is recognised by its national Listed Building entry of Grade II* ( two star).
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Notes
The image shows a jpeg of the restored painting.