SitesontheConnec,cutIndustrialHeritageTrail

Connec,cut’sabundantstreamsandrivers,kickstartedtheindustrialage.

AmericanClock&WatchMuseum,Bristol100MapleStreet,Bristol,CTOpenApril-November,7days/week,10-5,WeekendsonlyDec-MarchConnecFcutwastheclockmakingcapitalofworld.ThemuseumholdsthelargestdisplayofAmericanclocksandwatchesanywhere!Asvisitorstravelthroughthemuseum’seightgalleries,theseFmekeepingdeviceschimeandstrikeuponthehour.Locatedinthehistoric"FederalHill"districtofBristol,themuseumishousedinan1801Federal-stylehomewithasundialgarden.TheMuseumopeneditsdoorstothegeneralpublicin1954.Visitorswillfindover1,500clocksandwatchesondisplayincludingoldadverFsingclocks,punchclocks,grandfatherclocks,blinking-eyeclocks,railroadclocksandevenHickoryDickoryDockclocks.It'sthestoryofAmericafromthemid-18thcenturythroughthemid-20th–seenthroughtheprismofafascinaFngConnecFcutindustry

AmericanWoolenCompany,StaffordSprings8FurnaceAve,StaffordSprings,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessAmericanWoolen–araresurvivalamongNewEngland’sonceepictexFlemanufacturingindustry–occupiesthemillsandsitesoftheformerWarrenMills.Foundedin1853,Warrenoriginallymadecamelhairaswellaswoolenfabrics.Itbecamethetown’sonlysurvivingtexFlemillin1984,whenitboughtitslastremainingrival,theCyrilJohnsonMills.ThecomplexisevocaFveandwasbuiltupandaroundacorestonemillbuildingfromthe1850s.ItslongevityisreflectedinthearchitecturewithaddiFonsandexpansionsatvariouspointsinthelater19thandintothemid-20thcenturies.StaffordSpringsisaclassicmilltown.ItsmineralspringsbecameadesFnaFoninthe18thcentury–futurePresidentanfoundingfatherJohnAdams“tookthecure”therein1771.WaterandwaterpowerkickstartedConnecFcut’sindustrialage

AmesIronWorksHistoricTrailHousatonicRiverRd.FallsVillage,CTInterpretedtrail–accessibleeverydayIn1995,CL&PandthetownofFallsVillagecollaboratedontheconstrucFonoftheone-mileFallsVillageHistoricTrailforthesitewheretheAmesIronWorksforgedcannonsduringtheCivilWar.FallsVillagewasknownasAmesville,thetechnologicalepicenterofConnecFcut’sironindustryataFmewhenConnecFcutwasacenteroftheironindustryinAmerica.Atitspeakthreeshiesof800menworkedaroundtheclockproducingiron.TheHousatonicRiverpoweredtheproducFonsystemandtherailroadprovidedtransportaFonanddelivery.Signsalongthetrailexplainthat,in1833,OliverandHoraFoAmesfoundedtheAmesIronWorks.Theregion’sironwasusedinthemanufactureofnails,hinges,cookingutensils,hardware,scythes,axes,shovelsandothertools,locks,chains,potashpots,plows,mowingmachineteeth,stoves,andmanyotheritems.Becauseofitsresistancetoshock,itwasalsousedinmusketbarrels,cannonandcannonballs,shipanchors,railroadcarwheels,andlocomoFvedrivingwheelFres.EliWhitneyuseditforthethousandsofmusketsmadeinNorfolk;ThomasAlvaEdisonusedthelocalironforhisphonographneedles.

Bal,cMills,SpragueMainStreet,BalFcCTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessBalFcwasformedaroundacogonmill,atoneFmethelargesttexFlemillintheUnitedStates.Establishedontheonlandpurchasedin1856byformerRhodeIslandGovernorandRhodeIslandGovernorU.S.SenatorWilliamSprague.TheA.&W.SpragueManufacturingCo.millburneddownin1887.Subsequently,FrederickSaylesofPawtucket,RhodeIsland,purchasedthesiteandbuilttheBalFcMillsCo.cogonmill,whichopenedin1899.ThemillconFnuedoperaFngunFl1967,whenitwasclosedandthepropertyandequipmentweresold.Thehistoricdistrictincludes208contribuFngbuildingsandtwoothercontribuFngstructures.In1999,theremainsofthemillweredestroyedbyfire.Therewasonlyonebuildingthatsurvived.Itsenoughtoreportthenewsofthisoncegreatindustrialleviathanandareminderofthefragilityofthishistory.

Benedict&BurnhamMfgCo,WaterburyBenedictSt.WaterburyDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessWaterburyowesmuchofitsidenFtytobrass.Today,whilethebrassindustryisathingofthepast,WaterburyissFllknownastheBrassCity.Benedict&Burnhambeganin1812inWaterbury.AstheUSwenttowarwithEngland,AaronBenedictseizedonanopportunity.Soldiersandsailorsneededuniformbugons,butEnglandwouldnolongersupplythem.Benedictboughtupeverybrasskegle,panandpothecouldfind,establishedarollingmillandbeganmakingbugonsforthearmedforces.In1832,GordonBurnham,enteredthefirmofBenedict&Coe,whichbythatFmewasalsomanufacturingbrassandcopperutensils.WhatbecameTheBenedict&BurnhamManufacturingCo.,evolvedintothelargestmanufacturerofbrassandcopperappliancesandfixturesintheUnitedStates.Theyproducedcopperandcopperalloys,doorhandles,furnitureknobs,safetypins,rivets,bolthinges,lampburners,insulatedelectricwire,copperwirefortelegraphlines,andclocks.

BerlinHistoricalSociety305MainStreet,Kensington,CTOpen,Saturday,1-4PM,AprilthroughDecemberorbyappointmentTheBerlinHistoricalSocietymuseumpreservesandpresentstheevidenceofadiverseandfascinaFngindustrialhistory.BerlinwasanindustrialhubintheMegabassetwatershed.Itclaimsthefirstcementmillincountry;thefirstFnsmiths(1740s)inthecountry-William&EdmondPapson;adescendantFnmanufacturinggiantinPeck,Stow&WilcoxCo.thatdatesbackto1797;animportantchapterinthebirthofinterchangeablepartsinthefirearmsindustryinthestoryofSimeonNorth;andthefamousBerlinIronBridgeCo.AtoneFmeBerlinwasthehomeof26brickyards.ThestoryandproductsofthebrickindustryarefascinaFngandthearFsFcbricks–alocalproduct–beauFful.Foundedin1873,theBerlinIronBridgeCo.,sFllexistsasBerlinSteel.Theirironbridgeswereshippedinpartsandassembledonsite,throughoutNewEnglandintowesternNewYorkandPennsylvania.

Bigelow-HarJordCarpetCo.,Enfield55MainSt,Enfield,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessIn1828,OrrinThompsonbuiltthefirstofthecarpetmillsthat,for150years,broughtfameandwealthtotheThompsonvillesecFonoftown.ThemillwasmannedbyskilledweaversbroughtoverfromScotland.EarlyproducFonconsistedmostlyofinexpensiveflat-woveningraincarpeFng.Asthemillbecameestablishedothermoreexpensiveweaves,includingthree-plyingrain,rugs,andloopBrusselswereadded.By1846therewere230loomsinoperaFonatthemill.By1850carpetoutputfromtheThompsonvillemillshadreached250,000yardsperyear.In1854,agroupofHarrordinvestorsboughtitandformedHarrordCarpetCompany.By1871themillwasproducingover7000yardsofcarpeFngperday.ImprovementstothemillincludedelectricityandareducFonoftheworkweekto56hoursfortheworkforceof1,800.In1914theHarrordCarpetCorporaFonmergedwiththeBigelowCarpetCompanyofMassachusegstoformtheBigelow-HarrordCarpetCompany.Thisnewcompanypeakedwithaoutputof13,000,000yardsofcarpetperyear.

BristolHistoricalSocietyMuseum98SummerSt.,BristolOpenWednesdays10:00am-2:00pmandonSaturdaysNoon-4:00pmTheBristolHistoricalSocietymuseumisdedicatedtothepromoFonofinterestinBristolhistory.Itcollects,preserves,andinterpretssignificanthistoricalresourcestoenhancethepresentcommunityandprovideahistoricalcontextforfuturegrowth.ThemuseumhasoutstandingexhibiFonsonsuchlocalindustriesasBristolBrassCo.,HortonManufacturingCo(sporFnggoods)&theNewDepartureBellCo.whichdevelopedintothebearingindustryandatonepointmanufacturedbicyclepartsand,briefly,automobiles.Themuseumishousedintheoldhighschool–animportant1880sarchitecturallandmark.

BrownellTwineCo.1844,Moodus(EastHaddam)423EHaddamMoodusRd,MoodusDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessMooduswasthe“TwineCapitalofAmerica,”withtwelvemillsinoperaFonduringthe19thandearly20thcenturies.ThemostsuccessfulwasBrownell&Company.MooduswasinanideallocaFonfortexFleproducFonsinceithadaccesstoamplewaterpowerandshipping(viatheConnecFcutRiverandtheConnecFcutValleyRailroad),anditwasclosetoanenormoustradecenter,NewYorkCity.Moodus'smillsprimarilymanufacturedcogonyarn,duck(canvasfabricusedassailcloth),andtwineusedinmakingfishnepng.TwineproducFonlastedfrom1819to1977.Themillsalsoproducedcertainrelatedproducts,parFcularlyfishingnetsandpearlbugons.BrownellwasapioneerintheproducFonofnylonproducts,andBrownellsFllmanufacturersspecializedtexFle-relatedproductsinMoodussuchasarcherybowstrings,helicoptercargonets,andtennisnets.Its1844woodenfactorybuildingisoneofthebestsurvivingexamplesofthatearlyperiodofindustrialmillbuildinginConnecFcut.

CantonHistoricalMuseum&CollinsAxeFactory,Collinsville11FrontSt.Collinsville,CTOpenApril-November,Wed.–Sun.1-4:00pm/December-MarchSat-Sun1-4pmTheCantonHistoricalSocietycollectsandpreservesitemsrelaFngtothearea'sculturalheritageandfeaturesablacksmithshopandanextensivecollecFonof19thCenturymemorabiliahousedonthreefloorsinoneoftheoriginalCollinsAxeCompanybuildings.Builtin1865,thebuildingwasusedforfinishingagriculturalplows.Atitspeak100plowsperdayweremanufacturedbythecompany.Thefirstready-to-useaxesproducedintheUnitedStatescamefromtheCollinsCompany,foundedin1826.Priortothefirm’sestablishment,consumerseitherpurchasedungroundaxesimportedfromEuropeorlookedtoalocalblacksmithtomakeaxeheads.Asthenumberoflaborersgrew,thecompanybuilthousingforworkersandtheirfamilies,aCongregaFonalchurch,bank,andotherstructures.TheemergingfactorytownbecameknownasCollinsville.ThemuseumhasoutstandingcollecFonsanddioramasrelatedtothislocalindustry.TheadjoiningmillcomplexiscurrentlythefocusofanadapFvereuseiniFaFvetocreateTheAxeFactory—single-familyhouses,condos,abouFquehotel,andretailandofficespace.

CapewellHorseNailCompany,HarJord70CharterOakAve.Drivebylandmark&mixedusemill–nopublicaccessCapewellisathree-storybrickindustrialcomplexlocatedneartheColtsvilleNaFonalParkandHistoricLandmarkdistrict..Itwasbuiltin1903byindustrialistGeorgeCapewellatthecornerofCharterOakAvenueandPopieluszkoCourtaeerthepreviousheadquartersburneddown.Twentyyearsearlier,Capewellinventedamachinethatefficientlymanufacturedhorseshoenails,andhissuccessmadeHarrordthe"horseshoenailcapitol"oftheworld.TheadministraFonbuildingisConnecFcut’sfinestexampleofDutchColonialRevivalarchitecturewithhighlyarFculatedbrickandbrownstonedetails.ThroughmergersthecompanyconFnuedmanufacturingatthislocaFonunFl1985.TheCorporaFonforIndependentLiving,anon-profithousinggroup,acquiredthepropertyin2014andisconverFngitinto72one,two-andthree-bedroomunits,plus5,000squarefeetofofficeorretailspace.

CargillFallsMill,Putnam52&58PomfretSt,PutnamDrivebylandmark&mixedusemill–nopublicaccessAtthedawnoftheAmericanIndustrialagetheCargillFallsMillwasthefirstinConnecFcuttoproducecogonbroadcloth,establishingastandardofexcellencefortherestofNewEnglandtofollow.Onebuildingdatestothe18thcentury,theoldestcogonmillsFllstandinginConnecFcutandtheonlymillcomplexinthecountrythatexhibitseverystyleofarchitectureeverusedincogonmills.Expandedandmodifiedinthemid-nineteenthcenturytoaccommodatetheproducFonofwoolengoods,thetwentybuildingcomplexrepresentsmorethan178yearsofmillarchitecture.TheLo/satCargillFallsMill,situatedonthewesterlyedgeofPutnam’sdowntownbusinessdistrict,isintheprocessofbecomingamulFpleuseurbancommunitywhereresidenFalloesexistalongsideenclavesofcompaFbleoffice,retailandrestaurantworkplaces.Thefourteenbuildingsthatcomprisethe140,000squarefootriverfrontcomplex,willinclude82residenFalapartmentunitsalongwith30,000squarefeetofmixedcommercialworkspace.

ChamberlainGristMill,WoodstockIntersecFonofOldTurnpike&DewingSchoolRds,WoodstockDrivebylandmark–restoraFoninprogresssince2014,accessible&operaFonalby2017ChamberlinMillisarareexampleofawater-poweredcircularsawmill–anearlyindustrialformthatoncedogedstreamandmillpondsallacrossConnecFcut.ThistwostorypostandbeambuildingissupportedonafieldstonefoundaFonwhichincorporatesthepenstockandturbine.ThissturdystructuresFllhousesmanyofthehistoriccastirongearsandflatbeltpulleysthattransferredthepowerofwaterviatheturbinetothecircularsawonthemainlevel.Formostofthemill’slifespanitwaspoweredbywaterfromtheadjacentSFllRiver,whichwasdammedtoformLowerChamberlinPond,withasmallmillpondbelowthedam.Insummer,thewaterlevelofLowerChamberlinPondwasdrawndowntogrowhay,andinthewinteritwasraisedtoprovidepowertothemill.Today,thedamandpondsremainvisibleandintactwhilethesurroundinghistoricneighborhoodandlandscapecontributetothetellingofthemill’sstory.

Foundedin1876,ChaseBrasswasoneofthemanufacturersthatcontributedtoWaterbury'snickname"TheBrassCity".ThedevelopmentofthebrassindustryisoneofConnecFcut’smostremarkableindustrialstories.AugustusChaseconsolidatedseverallocalbusinesses,includingtheU.S.BugonCompany(founded1837)tocreateanindustrialleviathan.HissonIHHHenrySabinChasesucceededhimaspresidentin1900andintroducedthefirstbrassrollingmillinWaterbury.TheChaseHeadquartersBuildingwaspartofacivicclusterdesignedbyarchitectCassGilbertin1916,tocontrastwiththestyleofthecityhallhealsodesigned.DuringWorldWarII,theChaseBrassandCopperCompanymademorethan50millioncartridgecasesandmortarshells,morethanabillionsmallcaliberbulletsand,eventually,someofthecomponentsusedintheatomicbomb.ChaseenteredtheconsumermarketwithalineofchromeArtDecohouseholditemsinthe1930s,createdbyleadingdesignerssuchasRusselWright,RockwellKentandWalterVonNessen.LookforthedisFncFvecompanylogoofacentaurdrawingabow..ThecompanysoldthebuildingtopreservaFonistsin1963foronedollar.ItisnowknownastheChaseMunicipalBuildingandispartofWaterbury'sCassGilbertHistoricalDistrict.

ChaseBrassheadquartersbuilding,Waterbury236GrandSt.WaterburyDrivebylandmark–NowCityoffices–accessibletovisitors

ThefirstsuccessfulsilkmanufacturersintheUnitedStatesweretheCheneyBrothers.TheoriginalmillwasbegunastheMt.NeboSilkMillsin1838.ThemillusedthenewRixfordrollerthatprovedtobearevoluFonaryimprovement.Thefirstproductsweresewingsilk,withsilkimportedfromAsia.In1844,WardCheneylearnedthemainpointsofsilkdyeingfromEdwardValenFneofNorthampton,Massachusegs.ThedevelopmentofthesewingmachinebySingerandothersgreatlyincreasedtheneedforstrongersewingthread.Silkwaspreferred.Investorsembracedtheideaoflocally-grownsilkandmulberrytrees.By1913,AmericawasattheforefrontofinternaFonalsilkmanufacturing,andtheCheneyBrothersdominatedtheAmericanmarket.The1920swasagoldenageforthecompany.CheneyBrotherswastheonlyfactoryintheworldcarryingsilkallthewayfromitsrawformtoafinishedproduct,andemploymentrollspeakedatover4,500workers.Themuseumishousedinthe1895CheneymachineshopandisclosetotheRibbonMill(150Pine),theVelvetWeaveShed(182Pine),theVelvetMill(185Pine)theDyeHouse(190Pine),theYarnMill(210Pine)andthe20+placestovisitintheCheneyBrothersNaFonalHistoricLandmarkDistrict.

CheneyBrothersSilkMills,ManchesterHistoryCenter&District175PineSt.Manchester,plusDrivebylandmarks–museumaccessibleforspecialtoursandbyappointment

ChesterMuseumattheMilloftheChesterHistoricalSociety9WestMainSt.ChesterCTOpenJune–October,Saturdays1-4p.m.,Sundays10-4pm,plusFridayofThanksgivingIn2001,theChesterHistoricalSocietyassuredpreservaFonofthelastfactoryontheSouthPagaconkBrookbybuyingthe1870sC.L.GriswoldShopandbeginningitsrestoraFonasafuturesitefortheSociety’sofficesandmuseum.ItwasoneofthefistlocalhistoricalorganizaFonsinConnecFcuttosingleourindustrialhistoryasitsprimaryemphasis.Themuseumopenedin2010inthehistoric1850sGriswoldMillsite,overlookingawaterfallandthePagaconkBrook.Twoexhibitsfillingbothfloorsofthemuseum,tellthestoryofthelife,developmentandgrowthofChester,sinceitwasfirsthometotheWangunkIndians.Theaward-winninglong-termexhibit,StreamsofChange:LifeY&IndustryalongthePaBaconk.isonthesecondfloor.AMadeinChesterexhibitdealswithlocaltradesandmanufacturers,includingscrewaugers,smalltoolsandtheSullivanportableinkwells.

ColtsvilleNa,onalHistoricSite,HarJord140HuyshopeAvenue,Harrord,CTDrivebylandmark–NaFonalParkVisitorCenterforthcomingSamuelColt’slegendaryrevolvingfirearmsweremanufacturedintheSouthMeadowsfactorycomplexthatColtreclaimedfromtheConnecFcutRiverfloodplainin1855.InoneoftheboldestrealestatedevelopmentcampaignsinHarrord'shistory,Coltacquiredandsurrounded250acresoflandwithtwomilesofdyketoprotectagainstflooding.Here,by1856,Coltbuiltandoccupied:thelargestArmoryintheworld(500'longand4storiestall),worker'shousing,wharfandferryfaciliFesontheConnecFcutRiver,andagatheringplacenamed"CharterOakHall"fortheinstrucFonandamusementofhisemployees.Crowningthehilltopinthenorthwestcornerofthecomplexwas"Armsmear",theenormousItalianVilladreamhouseColtbuiltforhimselfandhisnewbrideElizabethHartJarvisin1857.TheChurchoftheGoodShepherd(1868)andCaldwellColtMemorialParishHall(1894),atthenorthendofColtsville,werebuiltasfamilymemorialsbyElizabethColt.

Connec,cutAn,queMachineryMuseum,Kent31KentCornwallRd,Kent,CTOpenWed.-Sunday,May-October,10am-4pmTheConnecFcutAnFqueMachineryAssociaFonmuseumisdedicatedtothepreservaFon,restoraFonanddemonstraFonofanFquemachineryfromourrichindustrialandagriculturalpast.IndustrialHallhousesalargecollecFonofstaFonarysteamengines.Oneoftheirfinestexamplesisthelate1800'sNobleT.GreeneengineusedtopowertheTiffany&PickegCompanywoodproductsmillinWinsted,CT.ThesitealsocontainstheConnec,cutMuseumofMiningandMineralScience.ConnecFcut'scomplexgeologicpastprovidedourforefatherswithasubstanFalminerallegacy.Significantironoredeposits,copperore,garnets,marble,limestone,basaltandbrownstoneallprovideorhaveprovidedforprofitableminingoperaFonsinourstate.AtoneFmeConnecFcuthadmorethan200brickmakingcompanies.ThehistoryofbrickmakinginthestateisexploredinaspecialsecFonofthemuseum.

Connec,cutHistoricalSociety,“MakingConnec,cut”Gallery1ElizabethSt.Harrord,CTOpenFriday-Saturday,9am-5pm;Tuesday-Thursday,12-15pmEstablishedin1825,theConnecFcutHistoricalSocietyisthestate’shistoricalsociety.CHS’scollecFonincludesmorethan4millionmanuscripts,graphics,books,arFfacts.“MakingConnecFcut”iscolorful,interacFve,andfilledwithmorethan500historicobjects,images,anddocuments.Themesofdailylife,clothing,transportaFon,sportsandleisure,work,andsocialchangerunthroughouttheexhibit.Itisespeciallystronginshowcasingtheproductsandprocessesassociatedwiththeindustrialage.OccasionalchangingexhibiFons,programsandpublicaFonsalsoexploreaspectsofConnecFcut’sindustrialage.

CranskaThreadMill,Moosup(Plainfield)70MainSt,MoosupCTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessDrawntoMoosupbyitseasilyaccessiblesourceofwaterpower,theCranskaThreadMillandnearbyformermilloftheUniondalecogonindustryareeachhousedinlargebrickbuildings,surroundedbyworkers’tenementhouses.ThebusinesswasfoundedbyFloydCranska(1849-1920)who,aeeradecadewiththeGrosvrnorDaleManufacturingCoinhisnaFveThompson,CT,boughtoutthecogonmillfoundedin1832byJosephGladding.Therehemanufacturedcogonthreadyarns.Themillexpandedin1886witha112x42’,threestorystoneaddiFon,Itdoubledinsizein1907andagainin1916.Cranskawasarelentlessmodernizerseekingoutthebestmachinery.AttheFmeofhisdeaththemillcontained22,000spindlesandemployed160,naFvebornandFrenchCanadianimmigrants.

DanburyMuseum&HistoricalSociety(hatindustryexhibits)43MainSt,Danbury,CTOpenMonday-Saturday,10-4TheDanburyMuseumpreservesandpresentsacollecFonofhistoricsitesincludingtheJohnDoddhatshop.DanburywastheinternaFonalcenterofthehatmakingindustryinthe19thand20thcenturies.ADanburyresident,ZadocBenedict,apparentlypluggedaholeinhisshoewithsomefuranddiscoveredthatfricFonandsweattransformeditintofelt.ApplyingYankeeingenuity,Benedictusedhisbedposttomoldandshapethefeltintohats.SomeFmearound1780,heopenedashoponMainStreetandhisiniFaloutputwasamerethreehatsperday.By1800,DanburywasproducingmorehatsthananyplaceelseintheUnitedStates.By1887,the30factoriesthathadhadsprungupinthecityweremanufacturingfivemillionhatsayear."TheHatCapitaloftheWorld,"asitwascalled,waslivingbythewordsofitsmogo:"DanburyCrownsThemAll."

DeepRiverHistoricalSociety245MainStreetDeepRiver,CTOpenbySaturdays&Sundays2-4pmduringJuly&Augustorbyappointment860-526-1449Foundedin1938,theDeepRiverHistoricalSociety’sStoneHousemuseumwasdonatedbyAdaSouthworthMunsonin1946.Itwasbuiltoflocalgranitein1840byherfatherEzraSouthworth.TheMunsonRoomcontainspermanentexhibitsofDeepRiverbusinessesandproductssuchasanextensivecollecFonofNilandcutglass,ivoryproductsofPrag,Read&Co.Inc.andCalvinB.RogersCo.,augerbitsofJenningsCo.,andsamplesofLeaverslace(thelastlacetobemadeinConnecFcut).From1840toaround1940,theU.S.wastheworld'sbiggestbuyerofivoryandmostofitwenttoDeepRiver.TherivalComstock,Cheney&CompanywasestablishedinIvoryton,inneighboringEssexinthe1860s.ThesetwolargestAmericanivorymanufacturers"commandedamonopolyonallivoryproducFonintheUnitedStates."

EastHaddamHistoricalSociety264TownSt.,EastHaddam,CTOpenMemorialDaythroughColumbusDay,Saturday&Sunday10am-4pmTheEastHaddamHistoricalSocietypreservesandpresentsthecollecFonsrelatedtoseverallocalindustries–thetwineindustry–whichgainednaFonalinfluence,ship-buildingandBoardmanSilver–asignificantplayerinoneofConnecFcut’smajor19hcenturyindustries.LutherBoardman&Sonwasfoundedin1840.In1842heinventedandpatentedanimprovedmoldforcreaFngBritanniasilverware.TheindustrywasahugesuccessandtheybegantoshiptheirwaresdowntheConnecFcutRivertonaFonalandinternaFonalmarkets.EastHaddamachievedgreaterfameasthecenterofthetwineindustry.FieeenseparatemillscenteredmainlyintheMoodussecFonoftown,eachmillemployedfromfromadozentoeighty“hands”manyofwhomwerewomen.Theyproducedtwine,duckorcanvasandgillnepng.AtonepointMoodusproducedasubstanFalporFonofthenaFonalmarketfornepng.Themuseumpresentsthestoriesoftheseindustries.

EliWhitneyMuseum&Workshop,Hamden915WhitneyAve.,Hamden,CTOpenMonday-Friday,9-5,Saturday&Sunday11-4TheEliWhitneyMuseumandWorkshop,establishedin1979,preservesthesitewhereWhitneyconstructedthefirstAmericanfactoryin1798.Painters,journalistsandpresidentsvisitedWhitneyville.Thefamous1827viewbyofWhitneyvillebyWilliamGilesMunsonisshowsanevolvingfactoryvillagethatisorganized,peaceful,andinharmonywiththeriverandhillsthatsurroundit.Itrecallsabenignbeginning,humanscaleanddignitynotyetdarkenedbysmoke.Thesiteincludesthemillriver,dam,waterfall,andIthielTown'sfamous1820lapce-trussbridgedesign,and,acrossthestreet,the1816barnandworkmen’sboardinghouse.ThemuseumfeaturesafirearmscollecFon,acollecFonofproductsassociatedwithA,C,GilbertCompany,andlargedynamicworkingmodelofthe1825factory.EliWhitnyandhissonEliJr.bothplayedimportantrolesinthebirthofConnecFcut’sfirearmsindustry.

EnfieldHistoricalSociety1294EnfieldSt(rte5),Enfield,CTOpenSundays2:30-4p,,MaythroughOctoberandbyappointment860-745-1729TheOldTownHallMuseumoftheEnfieldHistoricalSocietycontainsthreefloorsofexhibitsthatillustratemanyfacetsofEnfield'shistory.ThousandsofarFfacts,rangingfromdinosaurtrackstohouseholditemstofarmingimplementstoindustrialmachineryrepresentlifeinEnfield-bothbeforeandaeerthearrivalofhumans.AmongthemtheexhibitscollecFonsrelatedtoTheHazardPowderCompany-gunpowderkegs,Fns,photos,andotherarFfactsofColonelHazard'sindustrialempire;TheCarpetMillsofThompsonvilleTheindustry,foundedinEnfieldbyOrrinThompson,hasmovedoutofEnfield,butnotbeforeleavinganindeliblemarkonourhistory-andahugenumberofmementosandarFfacts,includingarareAxminsterloomwiththecarpetsFllinit-justasitwasleethelastFmeitwasshutdown.

FarrelFoundry&MachineCo.,Ansonia25MainSt.AnsoniaCTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessFarrelwasfoundedin1848asafoundrybyAlmonFarrel.DuringtheCivilWar,theyproducedbayonetsandcannonbarrels.In1927,FarrelFoundrymergedwithBirminghamIronFoundryofDerby,ConnecFcut.TheplantoftheFarrelFoundry&MachineCo.,ofWaterbury,wasstartedin1851,andin1857wasconsolidatedinconnecFonwiththeAnsoniaFoundryunderthenameoftheFarrelFoundry&MachineCo.,andsoconFnuedunFl1880.TheshoplikemanyothersinNewEnglandundertookavariedassortmentofworkinordertokeepthebusinessprofitable.AmongotherthingstheybuiltverFcalmillers,traversingheadshapers,andothermachinetools.Machineryforrollingmills,wiredrawing,tubemaking,threadrollingandcoldheadingismadeinmanyformsandsizes.AutomaFcnutmachines,powerpresses,shears,automaFcforgingdrops,hingemachines,cartridgemachinery,hydraulictools,presses,accumulatorsandpumps,specialmachineryforthemanufactureofcigars,cigareges,wereallmadehere.In2015,thefoundryclosedforgood.

GeorgeWashingtonJonesblacksmithshop,Bakersville/NewHarJord1140LitchfieldTurnpike(rte202)Drivebylandmark–nopublicaccess–developmentinprogrambyNHHSBlacksmithshopswereseminalincubatorsofindustrializaFon,machining,andtechnologicalinnovaFon.AlthoughubiquitousinearlyConnecFcutlife–theywerealsoessenFalandtheirproprietorsmasteredskillsthattheemergingindustrialtechnologyevolvedoutof.TheGWJonesblacksmithshop(ca.1830)isarguablythebest-documented,mostintactblacksmithshopinNewEngland,possiblythenaFon.ItwasbuiltandoperatedconFnuouslythroughthemid-1950sandremainsinthefamilytogetherwithextensivecollecFons,acccountbooksanddocumentaFon.TheNewHarrordHistoricalSocietyis(slowly)workingwiththefamilyonapreservaFonplanthatshouldbringthisfullyintothepublicdomain.

Gilbert&Benne^MfgCo,Georgetown6PortlandAve.Georgetown,CT(Wilton/ReddingLine)Drivebylandmark–nopublicaccessBenjaminGilbertwasaleathercraesmanwhoenvisionedamarketinhorsehairsievesandthemanufactureofhorse,cagleandhoghairfillerforfurniture,In1830,hepurchasedwhatbecameknownastheOldRedShop.SturgesBenneg,joinedGilbertin1828toformGilbert&Benneg.Thesaleswerepersontopersonandonthereturntriphe'dstopattanneriesandslaughterhousestocollectthehairusedinthemanufactureoftheirproducts.Gilbertinventedthefirstmachineryeverusedinpickinghairin1826.Thecompanyeventuallyfocusedonwireproductsincludingwovenwireclothformeatsafes,thefirstinsectwirescreening,andpoultrynepng.Asthebusinessgrewimprovementsweremade:athree-storyaddiFonwasbuilt;amilldamwasbuiltandasmallpondwasformedabout100feetlongand60feetwide.DuringtheCivilWarGilbertandBenneg'ssouthernsieveandcarriagecushionmarketsdriedup.Inventorypiledup.AninvenFveemployeedecidedtogivethesievewireacoatofprotecFvepaintandofferitforsaleasawindowscreen-avastimprovementoverthecheeseclothpreviouslyused.TheinvenFonshieedthemill'sfocustothemanufactureofwindowscreens.Gilbert&Bennegcelebrateditsfirst75yearsatthe1893World'sFairinChicago,asanexhibitor.Thecompanysupplied3milesofwovenfencing,andabout8acresofnepng,whichhungunderthefairbuildings'glassceiling.Thecompanyexhibited:WireCloth,GalvanizedNepng,WireFencing,Gates,OrnamentalWireWork,Screens,andHomeFurnishingWireGoods.

GurleyvilleGristmill,MansfieldStonemillRd.Gurleyville(Mansfield),CTOpenSundaysfromlateMay–October1-5pm.Groupsbyappointment860-429-9023TheGurleyvilleGristmill,locatedontheFentonRiver,offersauniqueopportunitytoobserverural19thcenturygristmilltechnology.Itcontainsacompletesystemofpreservedmillingequipment.ThisisnotarestoraFon;herevisitorsseetheequipmentasitwasoperatedovermanydecades.Asawmillwasbuiltonthissitein1723andthegristmillwasaddedaround1750.Thelagerwasreplacedinthe1830sbythepresentmillthatconFnuedtooperateunFl1941.Thegristmill,constructedofstone,remainsinaremarkablestateofpreservaFon.Visitorscanobserveandoperateaminatureworkingmodelofthemillthatallowsvisitorstoseehowthemechanismofthemillusedtooperate.TheGurleyvilleGristmillwasforsomeyearsoperatedbythefamilyofWilburCross,afour-termgovernorofConnecFcut.Thenearbymiller’scogagewashisbirthplace.

HarJordRubberWorks/PopeManufacturingCompany,HarJord1478ParkSt.Harrord,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessAlbertAugustusPopeincorporatedbeganmanufacturingofbicyclesinHarrordin1878,attheWeedSewingMachineCompanyfactory.Popemanufacturedbicycles,motorcycles,andautomobiles.TheincorporaFondocumentsstatedthecompany'sintendedbusinessacFviFes,"tomanufactureandsellairpistolsandguns,darningmachines,lathes,cigaregerollers”Forseveralyears,thecompanywasamajorplayerintheemergingautomobileindustry,PopeManufacturingacquiredtheHarrordRubberWorksin1892aspartofaverFcalintegraFonstrategy.FoundedbyJohnGrayin1885,HarrordRubberWorksimportedrawmaterialfromSumatraandproducedsolidFres.LaterthefactoryproducedcushionandpneumaFcFres.Harrord’sclaimsasoneofthebirthplacesoftheautomobileindustryisinitsassociaFonwithPope.

HazardPowderCo./HazardvilleIns,tute,Enfield4NorthMapleSt,Hazardville(Enfield),CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccess–prospectofasignedwalkingtrailGunpowderwasmanufacturedbymixinggroundwater,sulfur,charcoal,andsaltpeterandthengrindingthismixusingheavyverFcalrollerwheelsrollingthroughacircularbedtrough.Themixhadtobewetorgrindingwouldcauseittoexplode.In1843theHazardPowderCompanywasincorporatedwithColonelAugustusHazardasprincipalowner.HemovedtoEnfield,builtamansionandwasvisitedbyluminariesincludingDanielWebster,SamuelColt,andJeffersonDavis.Thegunpowderbusinesswasbooming.ThewarwithMexicoin1846,the1849Californiagoldrush,andthe1854CrimeanWarallbroughthugeordersforgunpowder.ItwasamilliondollarbusinessbytheoutbreakoftheCivilWar.WarFmecapacityreached12,500poundsperday.January14,1913ahugeexplosionheavilydamagedtheplantandkilledtwoworkers.-damagesoextensivethatthemillwaspermanentlyclosed.In1869,HazarddonatedlandfortheconstrucFonoftheHazardvilleInsFtute,recentlyrestoredbytheHazardvilleInsFtuteConservancy.

HockanumMill,1849,Rockville207WestMainSt,Rockville(Vernon),CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccess,futureMixedUseMillTheHockanumMillistheoldestsurvivingmillbuildinginRockville,onasitefirstdevelopedforwaterpowermanufacturingin1814.TheBingham&NashMillwasoneoffirsttomanufacturesaFnet,aclothmadeofcogonwarpandwoolenfilling.In1858theybeganproducFonofhighgradecassimeresfromdomesFcandimportedwool.Thehighqualityclothproducedtherebecamelegendary.PresidentWilliamMcKinley’sinauguralsuitewasmadefromclothmanufacturedintheHockanumMills.By1903,400workerswereemployed.ItsurvivedtheWorldWarIIerabymakingclothformilitaryuniforms.Itshutdownin1951.In2012KaplanMillWorksLLCreceiveda$2millionloanfromthestatetocleanuptheHockanumMillsbrownfieldsitesoitcanberedevelopedforcommercialuse.Thegoalistorestore10buildings,150,000squarefeetforcommercialandindustrialspaceonthe11acreproperty.ThesitewillbethehomeofaproposedNewEnglandMotorcycleMuseum.TheTownofVernonisapartnerinthisredevelopment.

HomeWoolenWorks,BeaconFalls2NorthMainSt.BeaconFalls,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessAsearlyas1836,companiesexploredwaterpowerontheNaugatuckriver,inBeaconFalls.In1863,theHomeWoolenCompanyboughttheAmericanHardRubberCompany’splantbuilt.Thefacilityconsistedofathree-storyfactory,about30houses,aboardinghouseand250acresofland.UnderthesupervisionofJohnWolfe,theBeaconFallsagentoftheHarrord-basedHomeWoolenCompany,theenterpriseinstallednewmachinery.Bythefollowingyear,HomeWoolenhad50looms,125workersandwasmaking1000yardsofdouble-widthclothperday,muchofwhichwentintotheproducFonofwoolenshawls.In1867,thecompanyexpandedthemainmill—doublingitsiniFalsize.Aeerproducingnearly13,000shawlspermonth,workatthemilltemporaryhaltedinDecember1876,thanksinparttoanAmericaninterestinlongcoatsthatreduceddemandforthewoolenshawlsmadepopularduringtheCivilWar.TheHomeWoolenCompanyremainedinoperaFonunFlJulyof1887.In1986,iswastoapartments.BeaconMillVillageisashiningexampleofadapFvereuse.

LambertHitchcock(1795-1852)isfamousformass-producingandmass-markeFngtheHitchcockchair.In1818,heopenedafurniturefactoryontheFarmingtonRiverinavillagethencalledHitchcocksville.Hitchcockmass-producedsimple,affordablechairs.InsteadofpainFngdesignsonthebacks,heusedthenewandfastertechniqueofstenciling.Bythelate1820s,theHitchcockChairCompanywasproducingover15,000chairsayear.About1826,Hitchcockbuiltthisthree-storybrickfactory.In1830,itwasoneofthelargestmillbuildingsinConnecFcut–aharbingerofacomingwave.Thebusinessdidnotsurvivepastthe1850s.AcenturylaterJohnKenneycameupontheabandonedfactoryand,withmarkeFngsupportfromtheG.FoxdepartmentstoreinHarrordstartedanewHitchcockChairCompanyinthesamelocaFon.ThatbusinesslastedunFl2004.Inthespringof2010,RickSwensonpurchasedtheHitchcockname,plans,andartworkandisagainmakingagoofitthere.

HitchcockChairFactory,Riverton13RivertownRd..Riverton(Barkhampsted),CTDrivebylandmark–retailchairfactoryandshowroom,publicaccess

JocelynFirearms/AtwoodMachineCoFactory,Stonington32WaterSt,Stonington,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessIn1851,JohnF.TrumbullsethisgranitefactorybuildingonStoningtonharbor.Thebuildingwasleasedfirsttoamakerofhorseshoenails,thentoafabricatoroftrinketsfortheSouthSeastrade.ButitsmostnotableearlytenantwastheJoslynFireArmsCompany,namedforBenjaminF.Joslyn,ofWorcester,andincorporatedlocally.DuringtheCivilWar,itmanufactured16,500breechloadingcarbines,mostofwhichwereusedbyUnioncavalry.Itclosedsoonaeerthewar.LaterthebuildinghadaseriesofshorttermtenantsunFlthearrivalin1876oftheAtwoodMachineCompany.TheAtwoodMachineCompanywasfoundedbymechanicalgeniuses,JohnE.AtwoodandhissonEugene,whoinventedadvancedmachineryformakingsilkthread.TheymovedtoStoningtonandremainedthereforseventyyears.Thecompanyprospered,sepngupofficesinNewYorkandsellingitsmachinesaroundtheworld.What’sleeofthebuildingistodayoccupiedbytheLaGruaCenteravenueforeducaFon,thearts,celebraFons,meeFngsandotheracFviFes.

LockMuseumofAmerica,Terryville240TerryvilleRd,Terryville(Plymouth),CTOpenMay-October,Tuesday-Friday1:30-4pm&weekendsbyappointment860-480-4408TheLockMuseumhousesanextensivecollecFonthatincludesaCannonBallSafe,30earlyeraFmelocks,SafeEscutcheonPlates,DoorLocks,Padlocks,HandcuffsandKeys,andmore.LocatedinTerryville,themuseumisdirectlyacrossfromtheoriginalsiteoftheEagleLockCompany,foundedin1854.TheEagleLockroomcontainsover1,000locksandkeysmanufacturedfrom1854to1954.TheCorbin-Russwinroom(NewBritainandBerlin)containsalargedisplayofornatehardware.AlargedisplayofmounteddoorknobsandescutcheonsmadebyConnecFcutfirmsareextensivelydetailedinstylessuchasRoman,Greek,FrenchandItalianRenaissance,Gothic,Flemish,andElizabethanEnglish.TheYaleRoomfeatureslocksmanufacturedbytheStamford-basedcompanyfrom1860to1950.OneoftheagracFonshereistheoriginalpatentmodeloftheMorFseCylinderPinTumblerLockdesignedbyLinusYaleJr.,in1865.ThisdeviceisconsideredthegreatestinvenFoninthehistoryoflockmaking.Inthisfinespecialtymuseumtheevidenceisoverwhelming.ConnecFcutwasaninternaFonalpowerhouseinthelockindustry.

Ma^atuckMuseum,"ComingHome"Gallery,Waterbury144WestMainSt.Waterbury,CTOpenTuesday-Saturday10-5,Sunday12-5"ComingHome:BuildingCommunityinaChangingWorld,"theMagautuckMuseum’sprimarycivichistoryinstallaFonislikeamachinethatmanufacturesciFzenshipandcivicengagement.It’sinspiredbythefundamentalvalueofwhathistoryisgoodforandhownecessaryitistoourcollecFveongoingstruggletomakeourindustrialageciFesworkinforthepost-industrialage.AsidefromthecontentandinteracFves-thegreatestjoyabout"ComingHome"isthatitisoverflowingwithGREATstuff.Machines,furniture,ceramics,painFngs,tools,localindustrialproducts,ephemera–everythingfromteletubbydollstolocally-madefirearmsandfurniture."ComingHome"presentssomepowerfulandcontroversialsubjects;includinghorrifyingstaFsFcsaboutaccidentsandlossoffingersandlimbsinindustrialaccidents.ItisrichinproductsandmachineryfromWatertbury’sindustrialage–bugons,Chasebrass,ScovillManufacturing,machinesandmachineprocess.

MeridenHistoricalSociety’sAndrewsHomesteadMuseum424WestMainStreet,OpenSundaysfromMayandOctober12-4pmorbyappointment-203-639-1913ChockfullofitemsfromMeriden’spast,thismuseumpresentsandpreservesoneofthemostimportantcollecFonsoflocally-madeindustrialproductsinConnecFcut-Meridenproducedartobjects–pewter,silver,lamps,householdutensils,brassfurniture,toybanks,firearms,anddecoraFvegoods.Foracentury,severalofthemostfamousnamesinAmericananFquesanddecoraFvearts–notablyHandelLamps,MeridenBritannia,Bradley&HubbardandtheCharlesParkerCo.producedartgoodsinMeriden.In1898,theInternaFonalSilverCo.wasformedthroughtheconsolidaFonofaboutadozenConnecFcut-basedelectroplatedsilvermanufacturers.ItbecamethelargestproducerintheindustryinternaFonally.In1984,asthedescendantcompanywasgoingoutofbusiness,theydonatedtheircorporatecollecFon–aremarkabletreasure–tothehistoricalsociety–makingitoneofthebestindustrialproductsdisplaysinthestate.Meriden’sdominanceinsilverplate,originatedwhenpewtererAshbilGriswoldsetupshoptherein1807.Hisworkisfoundhereandinsomeoftheleadingmuseumsinthecountry.Themuseum’sdisplayoftheseindustrialproductsiswide-ranginganddeep.

MuseumofConnec,cutHistory,HarJord231CapitolAve,Harrord.CTOpenMonday-Friday9-4,Saturday9-2ConnecFcut'simportantroleinthestoryofAmericanindustryandmanufacturingisamajorfocusofthemuseumcollecFons.ConnecFcutwasknownfortheprecisionmanufacturingoffirearms,clocks,hardwareandtools.ExamplesoftheproductsofConnecFcutinventorsandmanufacturerssuchasWhitney,Colt,Terry,Winchester,Stanleyandothersarehighlighted."ConnecFcutCollecFons"alsoincludesmorerecentlymadeConnecFcutproducts.TheColtFiremarmsMfgCollecFon(donatedin1957)isthelargestandmostcomprehensiveinthestate–possiblythenaFon.IntheannalsofthehistoryofAmericanfirearmsdevelopment,nonameismorerecognizablethanthatofColonelSamuelColt(1814-1862).Colt'sgeniusinbothinvenFonandmarkeFnghelpedmadeConnecFcutamajorcenterforfirearmsandprecisionmanufacturing.ThecollecFonincludesColt-madeGatlingguns,shotgunsandautomaFcweapons.In1995theoriginal"RampantColt"statuefrom1855wasacquiredbythemuseum.Itisa"must-see"forbothfirearmsenthusiastsandstudentsofAmericanhistory.

Na,onalWireMa^ress/RussellErwin,NewBritainCornerofHighStreet&ColumbusBoulevard,neartheNewBritainPublicLibraryDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessHereiswheretheRussell&ErwinandNaFonalWireMagressCompaniesstood.TheWireMagressbuildingwaserectedinthe1880s,thebuildinglaterhousedacompanythatmadeballbearings.NewBritain’sidenFtyas“theHardwareCity”owestothepresenceoftheRussell&ErwinManufacturingCo.(1851-1902).Theiraward-winninghinges,doorknobs,latchesandlocks–capturedandinternaFonalmarketandwereknown–especiallyinthe1870sthrough90s,forarFsFcexuberance.FoundedbyH.E.RussellandCorneliusB.Erwin,inaddiFontohardware,theymadekitchenitemsincludingfoodchoppersandmuffinpans.By1895,RussellandErwinManufacturingCompanywas“thelargesthardwaremanufacturingcompanyintheworld”In1902,thecompanymergedwiththeP&FCorbinCompanytoformtheAmericanHardwareCompany,whicheventuallybecamepartofBlack&Decker.TheNaFonalWireMagressCo.,organizedin1872,adverFsedasthe“bestspringmagressintheworld”and“thebestbedonearth.”TheirproductsweredistributednaFonally.

NorthGrosvenordaleMillDistrict,Thompson920RiverSt.NorthGrosvenordale(Thompson),CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessTheNorthGrosvenordaleMillHistoricDistrictdevelopedaroundTheGrosvenorDaleCompany.Itconsistsofmorethan100housesandothermill-relatedstructuressurroundingalargeformertexFlemill.ThedistrictextendsnorthwardalongtheFrenchRiver,includingamilldam,alargeheadgatestructure,achurch,andacanalthatcarriedwatertopowerthemill.TheNorthGrosvenordaleMill,knownasMillNo.2,wasbuiltin1872.ItisfourstoriestallandmeasuresagiganFc464'x75’.In1864,WilliamGrosvenor,aRhodeIslandphysicianandinvestor,purchasedtwosmalltexFlemillsandassociatedwaterprivilegesalongtheFrenchRiverinThompson.Hebuiltlargenewmillsateachsite,starFngin1868.TheNorthGrosvenordaleMillran65,000spindlesandemployed850peoplein1882.Employmentincreasedto1,122in1890and1,750in1900.ByconcentraFngonhigh-valuegoods,themill'sproducFvityandemploymentsteadilyincreased.TheDepressionofthe1930swasaseriousblow;thecompanyreducedworkers'wagesand,in1938,soldmostofitshouses.ItlimpedalongunderdifferentownershipunFl1954.Todaylightindustrialandwarehousingbusinessesoccupythebuildings.FromthebeginningthemajorityoftheworkerswereFrenchCanadians.

NewBritainIndustrialMuseum185MainSt.(CCSUBuilding),1stfloor,NewBritain,CTOpenTuesday,Thursday,Friday:2pm-5pm,Wednesday:12pm-5pmSaturday:10am-4pmTheNewBritainIndustrialMuseumwasfounded(1990s)onthepremisethatamuseumdedicatedtoNewBritain’saccomplishmentscould“generatecivicprideandinspiraFonandserveasaneconomicbeaconforfutureindustrialdevelopmentandtourism.”TheyhavenowbuiltoneofthepremierecollecFonsofConnecFcutindustrialproductsandhistory–largelybyconcentraFngonNewBritain’scontribuFons.ThecollecFonsincludeproductsandmemorabiliafrom:TheStanleyWorks-Organizedasajointstockcompanyin1857,StanleyRule&Level;Landers,Frary&Clark(Universal)-incorporatedin1862.Frary&ClarkmanufacturedproductstomakelifeeasierfortheAmericanhousewifeincludingfoodscales,coffeegrinders,cakemixers,breadmakers,coffeepotsandpercolatorsalongwithtablewareofeverydescripFon.TheAmericanHardwareCorporaFonwasformedin1902asaholdingcompanyfortheRussell&ErwinManufacturingCompanyandP.&F.Corbin;North&Judd-in1812acompanywasstartedbyAlvinNorth,H.C.WhippleandSethNorthtomakeplatedwireandarFclesfromthatwiresuchashooksandeyes.Theybecameprominentinthemanufactureofsaddleryandharnesshardwareincludingbitsandspurs.

NewEnglandAirMuseum,WindsorLocks36PerimeterRd,WindsorLocks,CTOpen10-5,Tuesday-SundayFoundedastheConnecFcutAeronauFcalHistoricalSocietyin1959,theMuseumhasbeenatitspresentlocaFonsince1981.Today,theMuseumhousesoneoftheworld'smostoutstandingcollecFonsofhistoricaviaFonarFfacts:morethan80aircraeandanextensivecollecFonofengines,instruments,aircraeparts,uniformsandpersonalmemorabilia–includingthelastremainingfour-engineSikorskyVS-44A,theBunce-CurFssPusher(1912),theoldestsurvivingConnecFcut-builtairplane;theSikorskyS-39,theoldestsurvivingSikorskyaircrae;andaKamanK-225helicopter,theoldestsurvivingKaman-builtaircrae.ExhibitsandcollecFonsrelevanttotheConnecFcutindustrialstoryincludePra^&Whitney-InnovatorsWhoChangedOurWorld–theinspiringstoryofhowahandfulofentrepreneursandengineersmovedtoConnecFcutandfoundedPrag&Whitney,onetheworld’sgreatestaerospacecompanies.TheIgorSikorskyMemorialExhibitisacomprehensivetributetothegreataviaFonpioneerwhostartedhisaviaFonworkinCzaristRussiaandthenintheUnitedStateswiththedevelopmentofamphibiansandflyingboats,culminaFngwithhisdesignandbuildingtheworld’sfirstpracFcalhelicopter.

PonemahMill,Tacville160Taeville-OccumRd,Norwich,CTDrivebylandmarkwithsignageandinterpretaFonTheTaevilleCogonMill,wasbuiltontheShetucketRiverataspotwherealargedamcouldbebuilttoprovidepower.Thelargemillbuilding(BuildingNo.1,1866)),wasoneofthelargestweave-sheds,750’x74’,underoneroofatthatFme.Itwascompletedin1875.Itclosedin1972,oneofthelastgreatNewEnglandmillstoshutdown.Thename“Ponemah”wastakenfromHWLongfellow’sPoem,SongofHiawathameaning“ourhope.”Themillownersbuiltavillagetohousetheirworkers,namingitTaevilleaeertheprincipalinvestors,EdwardandCyrusTaeofProvidence.AtitspeakthePonemahMillemployed1600workersandproducedover20millionyardsofclothayear.TheywerethefirstimportersandusersofEgypFancogonintheUnitedStates,andthefirstmillsinthiscountrytomanufacturefinefabrics.Adeveloperispresentlyinvolvedinaplanned$26.6millionadapFvereuserenovaFon.TheLoesatPonemahMill,ownedbyPonemahRiverbankLLC,willreceivegrantsandloanstorehabilitatethehistoricPonemahMillcomplex.ThisSecondEmpirestyle“cathedralofindustry”isoneofthemostimpressivelandmarksfromtheindustrialageanywhereinAmerica.Itsscenicalluremakeitacompellingstopontheindustrialheritagetrail.

ThePortlandBrownstoneQuarries,aNaFonalHistoricLandmarks,wereanimportantsourceforstoneworkusedfromNewYorktoMaineandbeyondduringthe“BrownDecades”(1865-95)infashionablehigh-endbuildingconstrucFon.StonefromthesequarrieswasusedinanumberoflandmarkbuildingsinChicago,Boston,NewYorkCity,Philadelphia,NewHaven,ConnecFcut,andHarrord,ConnecFcut.Quarryingonthissitebeganin1690byJamesStanclie.UsedforfoundaFonsandgravestones,itwasoneofConncFcut’searlyexportindustries–knowninBostonas“ConnecFcutStone.”Commercialquarryingstartedin1783whentheBrainerdQuarryCompanybeganoperaFons.Duringthepeakofthebrownstoneera,morethan1500workerswereemployedbythequarries,whichshippedstoneontheirownships.ProceedsfromthequarryingbusinessweredeededtoWesleyanUniversityfrom1833through1884,andstonefromthequarrieswasusedtobuildmanycampusbuildings.Afloodin1936andahurricanein1938floodedthequarries,endingtheiroperaFons.ThequarrieshavebeenleasedfordevelopmentasarecreaFoncenteroperatedbyBrownstoneExploraFon&DiscoveryPark.OvertheyearstheparkhasgraduallyexpandeditsagracFonstoincludescubadiving,climbingandrappelling,swimming,snorkeling,canoeingandkayaking,wakeboarding,cliffjumping,andgiantinflatabletoys.

PortlandBrownstoneQuarries/BrownstoneExplora,on&DiscoveryPark161BrownstoneAve.Portland,CTDrivebylandmarktovieworexperience

TheRemingtonShotTower(1909)standstodayasaloomingsymbolofaoncedominantindustry.In1782,aBriFshplumberdiscoveredthatthekeytoproducingperfectlyroundshotswastodropmoltenleadfromagreatheight.Thesurfacetensionpullsthemintoasphere.ShottowersbegantospringupwhenwecouldnolongerimportshotfromEurope.RemingtonArmsCompanywasfoundedin1816inIlion,NewYork,asE.RemingtonandSons.RemingtonisAmerica'soldestgunmaker.In1888,ownershipofE.Remington&SonswassoldtoHartleyandGrahamofNewYorkamajorsporFnggoodschainwhoalsoownedtheUnionMetallicCartridgeCompanyinBridgeport,ConnecFcut,andtheWinchesterRepeaFngArmsCompanyofNewHaven,ConnecFcut.AtthisFmethenamewasformallychangedtotheRemingtonArmsCompany.TheBridgeportsitebecamethehomeofRemington'sammuniFonplant.RemingtonArmsgaveuponitsBridgeportcomplexinthemid-1980s.Subsequentownersuseditformanufacturingandalsoleasedpartstoavarietyofsmallenterprises.

RemingtonShotTower,Bridgeport914ArcFcStreet,Bridgeport,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccess

Sharp’sMill/OceanPearlBu^onfactory,Willington212LuchonRd,Willington,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessBuiltatthesiteofam1812gristmill,operatedbyAlbertSharpandhisfather,it1895itwaspurchasedbyWilliamMasinda.WhowaspartofasubstanFalCzechandHungarianmigraFon,knownasthegreatBohemianlandswindle.HopingtoacquireworkingfarmscheaptheymadedobyintroducingshellbugonmakingtechnologyfromtheoldcountrytothenortheastConnecFcutasacogageindustry.MasindaconFnuedoperaFngthesaw,shingle,andgristmillalongwiththebugonshopunFlitwasdestroyedbyfirein1907.Hewasquicktoreplacethemillwithasmallerone-storybugonmill.DuringreconstrucFon,themillwasconvertedtothemoreefficientturbinesourceofpowerandconFnuedtooperateastheOceanPearlBugonfactoryunFl1938.PearlswereshippedfromAustralia,transferredbyrailandthentothemillbyahorsedrawnwagon.Thebugonshopsurviveslargelyintactwithitsequipment,bugonspoil,pond,dam,andturbine.ItisintheprocessofrestoraFonforpublicaccessasaworkingturn-of-the-centuryshop.

StanleySteamPlant&Factory,NewBritain78CurFsSt.NewBritainDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessFromtheStanleySteamPlantonCurFsStreetyoucanseeStanleyfactorycomplexstrungalongMyrtleSt.Thissteamhouseprovidedsteamheatforthefactories.Fromhere,thefamousStanleyyardgoatmovedgoodsandcarsaroundtheStanleycampus.Thecompany,knownforoveracenturyasStanleyWorks,gotitsstartastwoseparatecompanies.FrederickStanley’s(1802–1883)establishedStanley'sBoltManufactoryin1843whichexpandedintoforgingothertypesofhardwaresuchashooksandhinges.In1854,Stanleyhired19-year-oldWilliamHart,avisionarywhodesignednewmachineryandinventedtheprocessforcoldrollingsteel.By1919,thecompany’ssaleshadgrownfrom$7,000ayearto$11.3million.In1920thiscompanywasmergedwithStanleyRuleandLevelCompanyfoundedbyFrederick’scousinHenryStanleyin1857tomakelevels,squaresandthefamousBaileyPlane.By1900,itwasthelargestmanufacturerofplanesandtoolsinAmerica.Stanleytodayremainsoneoftheworld'smostrecognizedbrands.InthetwenFethcenturyStanleyWorksnegoFateditswaythroughtheeraofcorporateconsolidaFonsandmergersandin2010mergedwithhardwaregiantBlack&Decker.TheysFllmanufactureafewtoollinesinNewBritain.

Strouse,AdlerCorsetFactory,NewHaven84OliveSt.NewHavenDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessThefirstcorsetmanufacturerintheU.S.,theStrouse,AdlerCompany,weretheexclusivemakersof“Dr.Scog'sElectricCorsets,”whichpromisedtocurenervousness.Thecompanymadecorsets—andlater,girdles—fromthelate1800sunFlitceasedoperaFonsin1999.Corsets,andthelayersofclotheswornoverandunderthem,wereamarkerofclassstatusinthemid-19thcentury.BavarianJewsMaxAdlerandIsaacStrousebecameleadersofNewHaven’scorsetindustry.In1866StrouseestablishedthefirstcorsetfactoryintheUnitedStates.ThisledtotheStrouse,AdlerCompanyCorsetFactoryhousedinbuildingsonOliveStreetandlaterknownasSmoothieFoundaFonGarments.Towardtheendofthe19thcentury,thefactoryemployednearly2,000people,churningoutcorsetsthatpromisedfemales18-inchwaistsandhourglassfigures.In2001,thebuildingwasconvertedintoluxuryapartments.

TheStrongManufacturingCowasformedin1866..TheoriginalstockholderswereWilliamL.Gilbert,DavidStrong,ClarkStrong,JosephNortonandothers.ThefirstpresidentwasWilliamL.Gilbert.Theymanufacturedburialrobesandcasketlinings,sellinggoodstoundertakers.ManyofthearFcleswereofgreatbeauty.Withtheirsilver-platedcoffinhandlesthedesignersartviedwiththeplater’sinproducingelaborateelegantarFcles.WhenPresidentGrantdiedin1885,thecaskethandles,solidsilverandthenameplateofsolidgoldwerefurnishedbythiscompany.ItalsosuppliedthehandlesandplateforthecasketsofPresidentHarrisonandCorneliusVanderbilt.Thecompanyissituatedintheheartofthebusinessdistrict.Whenthecompanywasfirstorganized,itoccupiedasmallwoodenbuilding,butin1873anewbrickfactorywasbuit,thenaddedtoin1886tobecomeoneofthemostsubstanFalofWinsted’sfactories.Thereweremanyestablishmentsinthecountrywhichmadecoffintrimmings,buttheStrongMf’gCowasthelargestandbestknown.Althoughthebusinessislonggone,thissecondempirebuildingatthecenteroftownisbeingrehabbedformixeduse.

StrongManufacturingCo.,Winsted95MainSt,Winsted,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccess

Talco^BrotherWoolenMillandHistorictrail,Vernon47MainSt.Talcogvillee(Vernon)CTInterpretedtrail–accessibleeverydayAprojectoftheVernonHistoricalSociety,TheTalcogvilleHistoricDistrictencompassesa19th-centurymillvillage,includingarchaeologicalremnantsofveryearlycogon-spinningfaciliFes,anoldstonedam,andamajorwood-framemillconstructedbytheTalcogbrothers.Alsoincludedinthevillageareasignificantnumberofmillworkerhousingunits,manydaFngtothemiddledecadesofthe19thcentury,andan1891lenFcularponytrussbridge,builtbytheBerlinIronBridgeCompany.Itswalkable,well-signedandinterpretedandbeauFful.ThelargestbuildingistheTalcogBrothersMill,1870,at47MainStreet.TheDistrictappearstodaymuchasitdidinthefirsthalfofthetwenFethcenturywhentheTalcogBrothersCompanyproducedfinewoolens.TalcogvilleisanexcepFonallywell-preservedexampleofanineteenthcenturyfactoryvillage.

TorringtonHistoricalSociety192MainSt.Torrington,CTOpenApril15-October31Wedn.-Saturday12-4pmSignificantindustrialgrowthbeganinTorringtontoin1813whenFrederickWolcogerectedawoolenmill.In1834IsraelCoeandErastusHodgesbegantheconstrucFonofrivalbrassmills.ThiswasthebeginningofthebrassindustryinTorrington,anindustrythatbecamesynonymouswiththeenFreNaugatuckvalley.OneofthemostsignificantcollecFonsattheSocietyistheManufacturingHistoryCollecJonmostlyitemsmanufacturedinTorringtonfromtheearly19thcenturytothepresent,includingproductsmadeatindustriessuchastheCoeBrassCompany,theTorringtonCompany,UnionHardwareCompany,HendeyMachineCompanyandtheWarrentonWoolenMill.Locallymadebrasskegles,wooden-worksclocks,areedorganmadeattheArvidDaytonfactory,needles,bicycles,machinery,tools,woolencloth,iceandrollerskates,householdappliancesandsporFnggoodsarefeaturedinstate-of-the-artgalleries;thankstoGertrudeHotchkisswho,in1956,leeherHotchkiss-FylerHouseandestatetothethen-fledglingHistoricalSociety.

UnitedStatesRubberCo.,Naugatuck6RubberAveDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessTheUnitedStatesRubberCompany(Uniroyal)wasfoundedinNaugatuckin1892.By1892,thereweremanyrubbermanufacturingcompaniesinNaugatuck,ConnecFcut,aswellaselsewhereinConnecFcut.NinecompaniesconsolidatedtheiroperaFonsinNaugatucktobecometheUnitedStatesRubberCompany.From1892to1913,therubberfootweardivisionsofU.S.Rubbermanufacturedtheirproductsunder30differentbrandnames,includingtheWales-GoodyearShoeCo.Thecompanyconsolidatedthesefootwearbrandsunderonename,Keds,in1916,andweremass-marketedasthefirstflexiblerubber-solewithcanvas-top"sneakers"in1917.U.S.RubberalsoproducedNaugahydeinaNaugatuckfactory.ThenormallypeacefulNaugatuckRiverthatflowsthroughNaugatuckoverfloweditsbanksonAugust19,1955.TherivercutapathofdestrucFonthatforeverchangedthefaceofNaugatuck.AsAmericanmanufacturingdeclinedinthelate20thcentury,themillsclosedandthetownfellonlargelyhardFmes.In1990,UniroyalwasacquiredbyFrenchFremakerMichelinandceasedtoexistasaseparatebusiness.

Up-DownSawmill,Ledyard172IronSt.(Route214),Ledyard,CTOpen,April&May/October&November,Saturdays,1-4pm&byapt-860-464-8740ThehistoricUp-DownSawmillistheoriginalwater-poweredsashsawmilllocatedontheoriginalsiteonLee’sBrookinLedyard.RestoredtooperaFngcondiFoninthe1970s,themillisopentothepublicforwaterpoweredsawingdemonstraFons.ItisisoneofthefewremainingexamplesinNorthAmericaofa19thcenturysashsawmill.ItwasfirstoperatedbyIsraelBrowninthe1870sold-fashionedwhenitwasnew.BythatFmemostoftheoldstyleup-and-downsawmillshadbeenreplacedbythenewer,moreefficientcircularsawtechnology.ItprovidesaglimpseintothelastdaysofanoldtechnologythatwasanimportantpartofthegrowthoftheEuropeancoloniesinNorthAmericaandintheyoungUnitedStates.MostofConnecFcut’smillsarelocatedonsitesoriginallypowerbywater.Thisrepresentstheageofmillsandmanufacturingatitsmostembryonic.

WallaceSilversmiths,Wallingford328QuinnipiacSt.WallingfordDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessThefounderofWallaceSilversmiths,RobertWallace,immigratedfromScotlandinthelate18thcentury.Attheageof16hebecameanapprenFcetoCaptainWilliamMix,arenownedspoonmaker.In1833heboughtadilapidatedgristmill,andbegantoproducehisowncutlery.IniFally,Wallacedidcontractwork,producingcutleryforanumberoffirms.In1875,WallaceintroducedthefirstthreesterlingpagernstofeaturetheesteemedWallacename-Hawthorne,TheCrown,andSt.Leon.Overthenextcentury,thecompanyconFnuedtogrow.WallaceandSonsMfg.Co.investedheavilyinnewmachineryandskilledarFsans.Itgrewtobethelargestmanufacturerofflattablewareintheworld.OnApril1,1987,WallaceSilversmiths'corporateheadquartersweremovedfromConnecFcut.ThecompanyconFnuestodesignsterling,silverplate,andstainlesssteelflatware.Thisbuildingwasthecorporateoffices.NearbyareseveraloftheproducFonfaciliFes–repurposedfor21stcenturyneeds.

WaureganCo^onMills,Plainfield55SouthWalnutSt.Wauregan(Plainfield),CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessIn1850,AmosD.Lockwood,boughtthewaterprivilegesandsurroundinglandandWaureganMillsCompanywasborn.JamesS.Atwoodwashiredassuperintendent,responsibleforsepngupmachineryandstarFngproducFon.TheprincipalproductofWaureganwascogonsheeFngandflannel.Atwooddevelopeda"modelhamlet"wherehisfactory'semployees"couldfindagracFveandcomfortablehomesneartheirdailytasks."Themillexpanded,workers'houseswerebuilt,andameniFesaddedincluding104company-ownedbuildings,railroadstaFon,apostoffice,andacompanystore.Anotherbuildinghousedafirehouse,clubhouse,jail,readingroomandlibrary.Themill'slaborforcewasaround750people.Themillwouldeventuallyreachacapacityof56,616spindlesand1,464looms,withanannualoutputofelevenmillionyards.AeerWorldWarII,WaureganMillsenteredaperiodofdecline.InAugust1955,HurricanesConnieandDianecausedmanydamsalongtheQuinebaugRivertobreak.Themillwasflooded.Workerstriedtosalvageasmuchcloth,rawmaterialsandmachineryastheycould.In1957,Atwood’sgrandsonJamesIII,closeditdown.TodayitisaNaFonalRegisterHistoricDistrict.

Whi,ngMills&AmericanMuralProjectCampus,Winsted,Connec,cut100WhiFngSt.,Winsted,CTMixedUseMill–Openfor3rdSundayMill&MuralOpenHouse.Tours&Programs–otherwisebyappointmentordropinasarFstsandvendorsmakeavailable.TheWinstedHosieryCompanycomplexisthesiteofWhiFngMills,amixedusemillandartproject.Foundedin1882,by1936,thecompanywasthelargesthosierymanufacturerinConnecFcut.Thecompanymadewoolandwool/cogonblendhosiery,underwearandsweaterswithcarding,spinningandweavingoperaFonononesite.ItwasfoundedbyWinstedindustrialistWilliamL.Gilbert(1806-90),whohadhishandineverythingaroundtown.Itclosedin1865.In2004,WhiFngMills,openedasamixed-usemillbuilding-hometoavarietyofarFsts,craespeople,retailshops,smallmanufacturingcompanies,andacenterforarFsFc,community,andsocialevents.Theirsemi-annualOpenStudioeventsareadesFnaFonexperience.PartofthesitewillbethefuturehomeoftheAmericanMuralProject,currentlyprojectedtoopenin2017.ThereisalreadymuchtoexperienceandseeofthisenormousmuralhomagetoAmericanworkandlabor.

WinchesterHistoricalSociety’sSolomonRockwellHouse,Winsted225ProspectSt.,Winsted,CTOpenSundays,May-October,1-4pmorbyappointment860-379-8433TheSolomonRockwellHouse(1813)oftheWinchesterHistoricalSocietypreservesandpresentsanoutstandingcollecFonoflocalart,arFfacts,familyfurnishingsandanexpansivecollecFonofproductsrepresenFngthetown’svariousindustries.TheclockindustrywasamainstayfromthearrivalofRileyWhiFngabout1808tothefinalclosingtheWilliamC.GilbertCointhe1960s.Otherlocalindustriesandproductsinclude:AmericanHoeCo.ThayerScytheCo,Garter&BakerMachineCo.,WinstedHosiery,HudsonWire,UnionPinCo.,EmpireKnifeCo.,WaringBlender,Ryko,CapitalProducts,andFitzgerald’sMagicMaid.WilliamL.Gilbertwasoneoftheforemostclockmakersof19th-centuryConnecFcut.Gilbert’sfirstcompanywasfoundedin1828.Adecadelater,GilbertwasinbusinesswithChaunceyJerome,oneofthemosticonicfiguresinAmericanclockmaking.

WindhamTex,le&HistoryMuseum/Williman,cLinenFactory411MainSt.WillimanFc,CTOpenFri,Sat&Sun10-4TheWindhamTexFleMuseumtellsthestoryoftheriseandfallofthetexFleindustryinWillimanFcandeasternConnecFcut.Themuseumoccupiestheformerheadquarters,libraryandmeeFnghalloftheAmericanThreadCompany’sonce-giantWillimanFcMills,acrossthestreet.Foundedin1854,astheWillimanFcLinenCompany,atitsheighttheWillimanFcMillswasthelargestthreadmillinNorthAmerica.ItsmassivebuildingsincludedtheiconicMillNumberFour.Thecompanymanufacturedthefirstthreadspecificallydesignedforsewingmachines,andthethreadinU.S.armyuniforms,NASAspacesuits,andmajorleaguebaseballs.ThecityofWillimanFcboomedasAmerica’sThreadCity.Tensofthousandsofpeoplecamefromaroundtheworldtoworkinthemills,andtoraisetheirfamiliesinthehillsofNewEngland.ThereisnobegerspottoreflectandabsorbthestoryofthegreateraoftexFlemanufacturingineasternConnecFcut.Alas,in1985,lifeinWillimanFc,ConnecFcutchangedforever.TheAmericanThreadCompanycloseditsWillimanFcMillsplantandshieedoperaFonstoNorthCarolina.

Yan,cFallsHistoricDistrict,Norwich255YanFcSt.Norwich,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessAtYanFcFallsthereareaseriesofmills,theoldestoneisbuiltofstonec.1837asapapermill.Manufacturingbeganin1813withafactorythatcutnailswithanewlyinventedmachine.In1826,theQuinebaugCompanywascharteredtomanufacturecogonandwoolengoods.TheseproducFvedaysconFnuedunFl1837whenmanybusinessesfailedinthefinancialcrashthataffectedtheenFrecountrythatyear.TheQuinebaugCompanybecametheShetucketMills,thentheAtlanFcCartonCompany,andtheThamesManufacturingCompanybecametheFallsMills.Co.Thebuildingswereexpandedasthenewcompaniesprospered.Asitgrew,itpurchasedrightsandprivilegesintheneighborhoodsothatbythe1860'sitwasabletocontrolnearlytheenFrewaterpoweroftheYanFcRiver.ForaFmeinrecentyears,themillbuildingswerevacantandfallingintodisrepair.TheyarenowoccupiedbytheFallsCorporaFonandtheInstruteckCorporaFon

YaleandTowneLockCo,,Stamford220HenrySt.Stamford,CTDrivebylandmark–nopublicaccessStamford,onceknownastheLockCity,washometotheYaleLockManufacturingCo.In1861,LinusYaleinventedthepintumblerlock.YalewasaninventorandmanufacturerofbanklockseagertoexpandhissmallbusinesswhenHenryR.Towne,anengineer,tookaninterestandsawthepotenFalforanimportantnewindustry.Yale’sfive-pintumblerlockwascompact,offeredmanycombinaFonvariaFons,wasvirtuallypick-proof,andhadalightweightkey.WhenYalediedin1868,Townepressedaheadandthefactorythatopenedin1869.In1883herenamedittheYale&TowneManufacturingCompanyandwascompanypresidentunFl1915.Thecity'slargestsingleemployer,Yale&TownedominatedStamford'seconomywithin25yearsofitsestablishmentandconFnuedtodosounFlitdepartedinthe1950s.InthetwenFethcenturythecompanyexpandedworldwidethroughpurchases,acquisiFonsandjointventures.Itemployedmorethan12,000people.TodayYaleisoneoftheoldestinternaFonalbrandsandremainsasadivisionofAssaAbloy.