19, Thorngate, Barnard Castle, Durham
This was a weaver's cottage. It dates from the early 18th century and has a bay window that was added in the 19th century. Before the industrial revolution it was common for people to work in their own homes. They would have woven cloth that was then sent to a factory to be turned into a finished product. This was known as cottage industry. The line of windows on this house shows that the workshop was on the top floor. Windows were expensive but a workshop needed as much light as possible.
