Berkshire Mill No. 1 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Berkshire Mill No. 1
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Berkshire Mill
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hoosac and Columbia Streets, Adams, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1889 |
| Architect | F.P. Seldon & Son |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004946 |
| Added to NRHP | April 1, 1982 |
The Berkshire Mill No. 1 is a historic factory building located on Hoosac Street in the center of Adams, Massachusetts. It was built in 1895 by the Plunkett family, who were very important in the local area. This mill is a key reminder of the town's history in making textiles, like cloth. Today, it has been changed into apartments and businesses. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 because of its historical importance.
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Exploring Berkshire Mill No. 1
The Berkshire Mill No. 1 stands just north of the main part of Adams. It is located between Columbia and Hoosac Streets. A railroad track runs along its eastern side.
What Does the Mill Look Like?
The main building of the mill is quite large. It is 3-1/2 stories tall and made from red bricks. The foundation and decorative parts are made of granite. The building has simple designs. Its windows are set in arched openings. There is also a decorative brick pattern near the roof.
The most noticeable part of the mill is a tall tower. This tower sticks out from the middle of the building's south side. It rises four stories high and has a sloped roof. The top level of the tower has a series of round-arched openings on three sides.
A Look Back in Time: The Mill's Story
The Berkshire Mill No. 1 is one of the few remaining buildings from the Berkshire Cotton Manufacturing Company. This company was started in Adams in 1888 by the Plunkett family. At its busiest, it was one of the biggest employers in the town.
The company eventually joined with other companies. Today, it is known as Berkshire Hathaway, a very large company managed by Warren Buffett. The original manufacturing company was successful even when other mills in Adams were struggling. This was because the Plunketts decided to make fine cotton fabric, which was more popular at the time.
The company grew quickly between 1888 and 1900. In 1900, President William McKinley, who was a friend of the Plunketts, helped lay the first stone for their Number 4 Mill. This mill was built where the Adams Paper Company mill used to be. Mill No. 2 was located north of the current building, where a parking lot is now.
Over time, the company bought other mills. However, business slowed down in the 20th century. The mills changed owners several times. Parts of them were used for other types of manufacturing. Mills 2 and 3 were eventually torn down because there wasn't enough demand for industrial space.
The Mill Today: New Uses
In 1987, the Berkshire Mill No. 1 building was changed into 65 apartments. It is now managed by a company called Harvest Properties LLC. There was also a plan in 2014 to turn Berkshire Mill No. 4 into 150 apartments. However, that project has not started, and that building is still empty.
