One of this building's previous uses was as a malt kiln. At the time of this exhibition, the barley was being harvested on the farms surrounding Lincoln and in former times would have been brought to the malt kin to be processed for brewing. A recurring theme in John Plowman's practice is work and the nature of labour and productivity. Farming, an unrelenting labour intensive activity was here refered to in this scene of a workplace. The viewing platform was suggestive of a museum where such tableaus of historical settings are a popular method of display.

This 12th Century group of buildings is thought to have been erected for some civic purpose. It was also used as a Royal storehouse or cellar for the king's wine, around 1236.

Archaeological excavations found part of the Fosse Way, a major Roman road that ran under the West Range of the buildings. This can be viewed there today.

The buildings were rented out for various uses. The paddock at the rear was the first home of Lincoln City Football Club and in 1815 the North Range was used for malting. Dawbers the brewers were the last known occupiers of the maltkin.

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