Stanley Woolen Mill

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Stanley Woolen Will
Stanley Woolen Mill Uxbridge MA.jpg
Stanley Woolen Mill in 2013
USA Massachusetts location map.svg
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Location within Massachusetts
General information
Architectural style Industrial
Location Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Country United States
Coordinates 42°4′48″N71°37′15″W / 42.08000°N 71.62083°W / 42.08000; -71.62083
Elevation70 m (230 ft)
Construction started1852
OwnerStanley Woolen Company

Stanley Woolen Mill is the common historic name applied to a defunct company based in southeastern Massachusetts and to the company's buildings which stand at the southern entrance to the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. The mill is an important footnote in the history of the textile industry in America. [1] [2] [3] [4] Stanley Woolen Mill is the centerpiece of the Central Woolen Mills District which is part of the National Historic Register.

Contents

Overview

Stanley Woolen Mill is located in the center of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor at Uxbridge, a heritage corridor of national significance for America's earliest industrialization. The main factory building represents the last of a line of wooden textile mills built for mechanized manufacturing in Massachusetts and in the US. [1] This mill helped to pioneer satinet, cashmeres, and utilized power looms, (first developed for woolens in the U.S. by John Capron from Uxbridge). [2] Stanley Woolen had a long history of manufacturing military uniforms from the time of the American Civil War through the World Wars and including for the allied armies of Europe in World War I. "Beginning as Stanley Woolen Mills, the firm survived two depressions, weathering the changing times and the changing demands in the world of textiles. Over the years, the Stanley Woolen Company mills sold to such manufacturers as Evan Picone, Perry Ellis, Brooks Brothers and Hager". [3] It is reported that Stanley Woolen Mill was the first US mill to completely manufacture woolen garments, mainly men's wear for the domestic market. [4] Another tradition of this mill's long history was the blending of wool and cottons as fabrics in the manufacture of clothing. [4]

The original founding families

The American Taft family first settled in what later became Uxbridge in the 17th century. [5] A descendant, Luke Taft became one of the earliest industrial pioneers here. [6] ) [1] [7] Luke Taft was the son in law of Daniel Day, and married his daughter Nancy. In 1809, Daniel Day had started the first woolen mill in Uxbridge and the Blackstone River Valley, one of the first woolen mills in the US (third), a little bit downstream. [8] [9] The Wheelocks, (descended from the Rev. Ralph Wheelock, the pioneer of American public education), also settled in Uxbridge, in the 18th century. [10] Lt. Simeon Wheelock, a Revolutionary War soldier, fought and died in Shays' Rebellion. [11] [10] His son Jerry, became one of the earliest textile pioneers in Uxbridge, and worked with Luke Taft. Luke and Nancy (Day) Taft had a son, Moses, who born in January 1812. [12] Jerry Wheelock's daughter, Sylvia A Wheelock, then married Moses Taft in 1834. [12] Luke Taft established a mill at the site in 1833, and Moses Taft, (Luke's son and Daniel Day's grandson) established what later became the larger Stanley Mill in 1852. Uxbridge was an early industrial center that played key roles in the early textile industry in America, pioneering satinets, cashmeres, blended fabrics, and power looms for woolens. Stanley Woolen Mill later would become a legacy of both the Taft and Wheelock families, continuing woolen and textile innovations of Uxbridge, begun by Jerry, Luke and their contemporaries. Stanley Woolen Mill became the first mill to offer complete vertical integration from raw materials to clothing. [4] [13] Stanley Woolen Mill, was a continuously operating family business, from 1833 at the present site, and from 1809, with its connections to Daniel Day.

Historic significance

Following the demise of the Blackstone Canal in 1847, Moses Taft, a financier and industrialist, built his Central Woolen Mill on the banks of the former Canal, in 1852. [1] [14] His father, Luke Taft, had built an earlier mill here in 1833. [1] The Central Woolen (Moses Taft) mill ran round the clock during the American Civil War. [1] Union Blue Uniforms were made at Central Woolen. By the mid-1850s the mills of Uxbridge, were producing 2.5 million yards (2 million square meters) of cloth yearly. [2] Some of the earliest improvements of textiles, and their industrial processes occurred in the Uxbridge Mills including Central Woolen also known as Calumet Mill.

In later years, from 1903, the mill became known as Wheelock Mill or simply Stanley Woolen. In the later 20th century the mill buildings were designated as Contributing Structures to the Blackstone Canal National Historic District. While most of the mill's land was sold to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the state park, the buildings themselves continued in private hands because manufacturing continued. Tours of the working factory were intended to be a component of the Park's 'Farm to Factory' story.

Integrated operation from carding through spinning, dying and weaving ended soon after the Park opened, but small specialty weaving operations continued in a portion of the mill until 1998 when the deterioration of the buildings made them unusable. (See also links for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor).

While still in full operation the factory was used in the production of several movies including Oliver's Story 1978, and The Great Gatsby 1974. An antique store and antique refinishing shop maintained occupancy in a portion of the building. From 2005 to 2010 the main building and the attached brick and light frame structures have been under restoration funded by private investors to prepare them for retail and office re-use. The new uses were intended to complement regional and local efforts to develop tourism and new businesses.

With restoration of 419 surviving original 536 twelve-over-twelve windows and of 40 of 60 pairs of massive doors it is among the best preserved wooden structures of the old textile manufacturing era in Massachusetts. [15] The redevelopment has helped its preservation and had no negative environmental impacts on neighboring Federal or state parklands or the canal. [1] [16]

The Wheelock Family mill became known as one of the longest-running family owned textile businesses in the US, lasting over a century. [1] [3] [13] Today its Berroco Inc. yarn distribution operation is headquartered nearby and traces its roots to Jerry Wheelock and the Stanley Woolen Mill. [3] [13]

The additional references cited below, as other references, add to the history of this site, and offer a pictorial overview. "The Stanley Mill Story" published recently by Deane Redevelopment, is cited first among "other references", and describes the possibility raised by economic historian Jill Dupree that the history of the Blackstone Canal was one of rival industrialists using laws that encouraged transportation projects such as the Blackstone Canal to wrest "water rights" from previous owners. [13] [17] Moses Taft certainly took advantage of the collapse of the bankrupt Blackstone canal properties to acquire the Canal and use it as the mill race to power his mill on this site.

Citations from the Blackstone Daily

Uxbridge Walking Tour146 Mendon is the site of the Stanley Woolen Mill, originally known as the Central Woolen Mill in Calumet Village. [1] It is mostly vacant, yet a portion of the huge wooden buildings house a spacious antique store and is the subject of future visioning sessions by State, federal and local partnerships. [1] In 1852, Moses Taft built the mill and leased it to Israel Southwick and Richard Sayles. [1] During the Civil Way, 24-hour production of indigo blue uniform cloth was ongoing before the mill was sold to Robert and Jacob Taft in 1865. [1] Soon after, they built a dam at Rice City Pond which considerably increased the water power. [1] In 1866, an 80 horsepower (60 kW) steam engine was installed and production continued to rise dramatically as the mill started producing fancy cashmeres as the name changed to the Calumet Woolen Company. [1] Arthur and Stanley Wheelock bought the mill after 1905 and during WWI, a half million yards of khaki for the US government was produced as well as cloth for the French and Italian governments. [1] This was the longest-running family-owned woolen mill in the US until it closed in 1988. [1]

Continuation of Berroco Handknitting Yarns

Today Stanley Mill begun by the Uxbridge Wheelocks and Tafts in the 19th century, continues under the name of Berrocco Inc, at nearby North Smithfield, RI. [3] Stanley-Berrocco began as a subsidiary of Stanley Woolen Mill in 1968. [3] The Berrocco Corporate site was recently at the same location as the former Scott Mill, and the original site of the Daniel Day mill of 1809, just a little bit downstream on the Blackstone River, from the Stanley Woolen Mill. Two centuries later in 2010, America's earliest textile history continues today in what is the center of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Warren Wheelock, a descendant of Jerry Wheelock, leads this company today. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uxbridge, Massachusetts</span> Town in Massachusetts, United States

Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts first colonized in 1662 and incorporated in 1727. It was originally part of the town of Mendon, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. The town is located 36 mi (58 km) southwest of Boston and 15 mi (24 km) south-southeast of Worcester, at the midpoint of the Blackstone Valley National Historic Park. The historical society notes that Uxbridge is the "Heart of The Blackstone Valley" and is also known as "the Cradle of the Industrial Revolution". Uxbridge was a prominent Textile center in the American Industrial Revolution. Two Quakers served as national leaders in the American anti-slavery movement. Uxbridge "weaves a tapestry of early America".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackstone Valley</span> Region of Massachusetts in the United States

The Blackstone Valley or Blackstone River Valley is a region of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It was a major factor in the American Industrial Revolution. It makes up part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and National Historical Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernat Mill</span>

The Bernat Mill, also known as Capron Mill, and later Bachman Uxbridge Worsted Company, was an American yarn mill in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, that was for the most part destroyed by fire on July 21, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Day (manufacturer)</span>

Daniel Day was an American pioneer in woolen manufacturing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Capron</span> American politician

John Willard Capron was an American military officer in the infantry, state legislator, and textile manufacturer. Famous for being a military uniforms manufacturer, he became Colonel in the army and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

Luke Taft was an industrial pioneer in the manufacture of woolens in 19th century New England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moses Taft</span> American politician

Moses Taft 2nd was born at Uxbridge, Massachusetts. He was significant as an early American Industrialist and financier in the historic Blackstone Valley, and a member of the famous Taft family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park</span>

The Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park is a part of the state park system of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This 1,000-acre (4.0 km2) park "recalls the role of canals in transporting raw materials and manufactured goods between emerging industrial centers." The Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, is the midpoint of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor of the National Park System. The Blackstone River and Valley is where the industrial revolution was born in America. The southern entrance to this state park is the site of the historic Stanley Woolen Mill, currently being redeveloped for commercial and tourism. The Native American Nipmuc name for the village here was "Wacentug", translated as "bend in the river".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Uxbridge, Massachusetts</span> Village in Massachusetts, United States

North Uxbridge is a village and a post office in the town (township) of Uxbridge in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The postal zip code is 01538. It is classified as a community or populated place located at latitude 42.088 and longitude -71.641 and the elevation is 266 feet (81 m). North Uxbridge appears on the Uxbridge U.S. Geological Survey Map. Worcester County is in the Eastern time zone and observes DST. North Uxbridge is located about 36 miles WSW of Boston, and 15 miles SE of Worcester. The town meeting in 1885 set aside North Uxbridge as a "special district", since its population had exceeded 1000 people. North Uxbridge appeared to be a separate Census tract in the 1960 census with a population of 1882. In 2013, an Uxbridge DIY show, The Garage, with Steve Butler, went worldwide from Steve's garage in North Uxbridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheelockville, Massachusetts</span> Village in Massachusetts, United States

Wheelockville is a village in the town (township) of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, United States. Part of the village centering on Mendon and Henry streets is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Wheelockville Historic District. Wheelockville appears on the Blackstone U.S. Geological Survey Map. The Village receives municipal services from Uxbridge, for fire, police, EMS, School district, public works, and other services. Worcester's Judicial District includes Uxbridge District Court. The geography of Wheelockville includes several other distinct mill villages, including: Hecla and Elmdale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ironstone, Massachusetts</span> Village in Massachusetts, United States

Ironstone is an historic village,, in the township of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, United States. It derived its name from plentiful bog iron found here which helped Uxbridge to become a center for three iron forges in the town's earliest settlement. South Uxbridge has historic sites, picturesque weddings, hospitality, industrial and distribution centers, and the new Uxbridge High School. This community borders North Smithfield, and Burrillville, Rhode Island, and Millville, Massachusetts. South Uxbridge receives municipal services from Uxbridge, for fire, police, EMS, School district, public works, and other services. There is a South Uxbridge fire station of the Uxbridge fire department. Worcester's Judicial District includes Uxbridge District Court. Ironstone appears on the Blackstone U.S. Geological Survey Map. Worcester County is in the Eastern time zone and observes DST.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waucantuck Mill Complex</span> United States historic place

The Waucantuck Mill Complex was a mill complex in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Despite its 2010 demolition, it is still listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original Luke Taft Mill, built in 1824, on the West River was very close to the present site of the Waucatuck Mill complex. The Waucantuck complex was planned for a condominium and retail complex, underway in 2009. Both are very close to and virtually part of the Wheelockville District, where the Stanley Woolen Mill was built in 1852. Wash and wear fabrics were first developed at this mill in the 20th century. Products were produced under the name of "Indian Head". In the 1960s the former holdings of American Woolen Company were eventually acquired by a company by that name in Uxbridge, MA. Originally the Uxbridge Worsted Company had proposed a buyout of American Woolen to become America's largest woolen conglomerate. The Town of Uxbridge was synonymous with the textile industry and its earliest and later developments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Woolen Mills District</span> Historic district in Massachusetts, United States

The Central Woolen Mills District is a historic district in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, USA. The centerpiece of this historic district is the Stanley Woolen Mill, also known as the Central Woolen Mill, built by Moses Taft in 1852, and earlier by his father, Luke Taft, in 1833, on the banks of the Blackstone Canal. The district is the southern entrance to the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. This parkland is the geographic center of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, an historic corridor of national significance as an example of the earliest industrial activity of the United States.

The Taft family of the United States has historic origins in Massachusetts; its members have served Ohio, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Utah, and the United States in various positions such as U.S. Representative (two), Governor of Ohio, Governor of Rhode Island, U.S. Senator (three), U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Secretary of War (two), President of the United States, and Chief Justice of the United States.

The West River, in the US state of Massachusetts, is a 13.4-mile-long (21.6 km) tributary of the Blackstone River.

The history of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1727, may be divided into its prehistory, its colonial history and its modern industrial history. Uxbridge is located on the Massachusetts-Rhode Island state line, and became a center of the earliest industrialized region in the United States.

Jeremiah Wheelock was an American early industrial pioneer in the Blackstone Valley of Massachusetts, a region that incubated the early American industrial revolution.

Richard Mowry became an Uxbridge farmer, in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States who "successfully built and marketed equipment to manufacture woolen, linen or cotton cloth", from around the time of the Revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park</span> National Park Service unit in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, United States

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park is a National Park Service unit in the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The park was created for the purpose of preserving, protecting, and interpreting the industrial heritage of the Blackstone River Valley and the urban, rural, and agricultural landscape of that region. The Blackstone River Valley was the site of some of the earliest successful textile mills in the United States, and these mills contributed significantly to the earliest American Industrial Revolution. The subsequent construction of the Blackstone Canal, a few years after the successful completion of the Erie Canal, helped to sustain the region's industrial strength.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Uxbridge Walking Tour". Blackstone Daily. 1999. Archived from the original on November 1, 2006. Retrieved 2010-11-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. 1 2 3 "MHC Reconnaissance Survey Town Report: Uxbridge; Report Date: 1984 Associated Regional Report: Central Massachusetts;" (PDF). Massachusetts Historical Commission. 1984. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Berrocco, About Us". berrocco.com. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Stanley Woolen Mill, Incorporated, 1903, A pictorial history
  5. ↑ Leonard, Lewis Alexander. "The Life of Alphonso Taft" by Google Books.Leonard, Lewis Alexander (1920). Life of Alphonso Taft. Hawke publishing Company (incorporated). p.  308 . Retrieved 2007-11-25. the life of alphonso taft by lewis alexander leonard.
  6. ↑ "Taft descendents". Rootsweb. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
  7. ↑ Crane, Ellery Bicknell (1907). Historic Homes and Genealogies; Worcester, Massachusetts. The Lewis Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
  8. ↑ Marvin, AP (1879). History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Embracing a Comprehensive History of the County from its earliest beginnings to the present time; Vol. lI. Boston, MA: CF Jewitt and Company. p. 146.
  9. ↑ Chapin, Judge Henry (1881). Address Delivered at the Unitarian Church in Uxbridge; 1864. Worcester, Mass.
  10. 1 2 "Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, surname Wheelock/Simeon Wheelock" . Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  11. ↑ Crane, Ellery Bicknell (1907). Historic Homes, Institutions, Genealogies and Personal Memoirs. p. 343. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  12. 1 2 Uxbridge, Mass (1916). Vital Records of Uxbridge through 1850 (including marriages). p. 158,136. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  13. 1 2 3 4 The Stanley Mill Story; Deane Redevelopment web published Archived 2011-07-09 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ Moses Taft citation, History of Worcester County, Google Books
  15. ↑ Stanley Woolen Mill by Carol Masiello; Publisher, Blackstone Daily [Usurped!]
  16. ↑ Correspondence from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, pursuant to public parkland conversion requiring no environmental impact assessments. August 7, 2009
  17. ↑ Deane Redevelopment, Stanley Mill - Shops and Studios 100,000 sq. ft. overlooking the Blackstone Canal, River and Park
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