Florence, Massachusetts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Florence
Entering Florence, Massachusetts
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
City	Northampton
County	Hampshire County
ZIP code	01062
Area code(s)	413

Florence is a village in the city of Northampton, Massachusetts. It is located in the northwestern part of the city. In the 1800s, Florence was a busy manufacturing village. It was known for its new ideas about religion, ending slavery, and education.

History of Florence

Early Beginnings

Before European settlers arrived, the area of Florence and Northampton was called Nonotuck. This name meant "middle of the river" or "far away land." Nonotuck was a settlement of the Pocumtuc people.

How Florence Got Its Name

The Florence area was first known as "Broughton's Meadow." This name came from John Broughton, an English settler. He bought land here in 1657. This land included what is now Northampton and Florence. "Broughton's Meadow" was used until 1846.

Other names for the area included "Warner School District." This was named after three brothers who lived there in the early 1800s. It was also called "The Community." This name referred to the Northampton Association of Education and Industry from 1842 to 1846.

In 1848, the village was named Bensonville. This was after George W. Benson and his company. After his company went out of business in 1849, the village was called Greenville. This name came from the Greenville Manufacturing Company.

In the fall of 1852, the village needed a new name for its post office. Residents chose "Florence." This name was suggested by Dr. Charles Munde.

Florence in the 1800s

Early Factories and Businesses

By 1840, factories along the Mill River were making many things. These included cotton goods, silk, wool, thread, buttons, and furniture. They also made wooden items for homes and leather products.

Samuel Whitmarsh moved to Northampton in 1829. He believed that making silk would be a good business. He planted 25 acres (10 ha) of mulberry trees in Florence. These trees were used to raise silkworms. Whitmarsh's company, the Northampton Silk Company, started making silk thread in 1837.

Due to money problems, Whitmarsh sold his business. It was later bought by the Northampton Association of Education and Industry. Silk production became very important to Florence's economy.

Northampton Association of Education and Industry (NAEI)

The Northampton Association of Education and Industry (NAEI) was started in 1842. This was a special community based on new ideas. It combined the ideas of Fourierism with interests in ending slavery, avoiding alcohol, manufacturing, and education.

Members of NAEI believed that everyone should have "equal rights." This meant no differences based on gender, race, or religion. This association was one of three similar groups started in Massachusetts before the Civil War.

Important People in Florence

• Samuel L. Hill: He moved to Florence in 1841. He helped start the NAEI. Hill was a carpenter and factory manager. He was also part of the anti-slavery movement. His home in Florence was a stop on the Underground Railroad. After the NAEI ended, Hill took over the factory. It became the Nonotuck Silk Company. He also helped start the Free Congregational Society in 1863. He supported building Cosmian Hall. Hill also helped start the Florence Kindergarten in 1876. When he died in 1882, he left money to support the kindergarten. It later became the Hill Institute.

• Sojourner Truth: She was a former slave from New York. She moved to Florence in 1843 to join the NAEI community. After the community ended in 1846, she bought a house in Florence. She lived there until 1857. In Florence, Truth gave her first public speech. She became a skilled public speaker. She met Olive Gilbert in the NAEI community. Gilbert wrote down Truth's story, Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave. The NAEI also connected Truth with William Lloyd Garrison. He helped her publish her story in 1850. A statue was built in her honor in Florence in 2002.

• David Ruggles: He was an African American who fought against slavery. He was also a journalist and business owner. He helped start the New York Committee of Vigilance. This group worked to protect African Americans in the 1830s. By the early 1840s, Ruggles was having a hard time. He was almost blind and had money problems. Lydia Maria Child and others helped him join the NAEI community. While there, he tried water cure treatments for his health. In 1845, Ruggles started his own water cure hospital in Florence. He died in Florence in 1849 at age 39.

• Charles Munde: He came from Germany. He learned about water cure methods around 1836. After David Ruggles died in 1849, Munde opened the Florence Water Cure. It was also called the Munde Water Cure.

The Underground Railroad

Several Florence residents helped people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad. These included Samuel L. Hill, David Ruggles, Seth Hunt, Austin Ross, A.P. Critchlow, and Elisha Hammond.

Manufacturing and Industry Growth

The Nonotuck Silk Company later changed its name to the Corticelli Silk Company. It became one of the world's largest makers of silk thread. The raw silk came from Japan. The company closed in 1930.

Florence in the 1900s

Mirage Studios, the company that created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic books, was located in Florence. It was in a renovated factory building.

Florence was also a filming location for the 1999 movie, In Dreams.

The Miss Florence Diner opened in 1941. It is a popular landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Coopers Corner opened in 1938.

Recent Changes

Many areas of Florence have been updated recently. Old factories are now home to art studios and small shops.

Places to Visit in Florence

Historical Sites

• The former Ross Farm: This farm on Meadow Street was a stop on the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. It was owned by Austin Ross, who worked to end slavery.

Current Attractions

• Look Park: This is a large 150-acre park open all year. It is the biggest park in Florence and Northampton. It has a small water park, tennis courts, and play areas. You can also enjoy paddle boats, miniature golf, and a miniature train ride. There are picnic areas too.
• The Northampton Bikeway: This is a 2.5-mile trail for walking and biking. It goes from downtown Northampton to Florence, Look Park, and further west to the village of Leeds, Massachusetts.
• The Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue: This statue was designed by Thomas Jay Warren. It was finished in 2002 and is located at 121 Pine Street.
• The David Ruggles Center for History and Education: This center works to share the history of the anti-slavery movement in the Connecticut River Valley.
• Lilly Library: This library was built in 1889. It was funded by A.T. Lilly.