New England Glassworks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New England Glassworks Site
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1907 photograph of the glassworks ruins
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| Location | near the town line with Sharon |
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| Nearest city | Temple, New Hampshire |
| Built | 1780 |
| Built by | Hewes, Robert |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000127 |
| Added to NRHP | June 10, 1975 |
The New England Glassworks was a glass-making factory that didn't last long. It was built in Temple, New Hampshire, in the 1780s. This factory was one of the very first places in the United States to make glass.
A businessman from Boston named Robert Hewes started the factory in 1780. He hired soldiers who had left the British army during the American Revolutionary War. The glassworks opened in 1780 but closed in 1783 because it ran out of money. The old site was later dug up in the 1970s. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an important historical site.
Why the Glassworks Was Built
The New England Glassworks was built in a far-off spot in rural Temple. This area was close to the border with Sharon. The main reason for choosing this remote location was easy access to trees. These trees provided lots of wood for the factory's fires. However, it also meant that other materials needed for glassmaking had to be brought in from far away.
Problems at the Factory
The factory faced many money and supply problems. These issues eventually caused it to close down.
- Fire and Frost: The very first building was paid for by Robert Hewes. But it burned down soon after it was finished. Then, the special ovens (furnaces) used for making glass got damaged by cold weather before the rebuilding was even done.
- Seeking Help: After these problems, Hewes asked the town for money. When that didn't work, he asked the state of New Hampshire for financial help.
- Failed Lottery: In 1781, the state allowed a lottery (a game of chance) to collect money. The goal was to raise up to £2,000 to support the factory. However, the lottery didn't work well. The factory eventually failed and closed.
- Poor Quality Products: The things the factory made, like window glass, bottles, and other household items, weren't very good. This was because the sand used to make the glass came from nearby and wasn't good enough.
Discovering the Past: Archeology
The site of the New England Glassworks was dug up by archeologists in the 1970s. An archeologist named David Starbuck said in 2006 that it was "the largest industrial dig ever conducted" in New Hampshire.
- What Was Found: From the things found there, we know the factory made window glass and small bottles. They also made "vessels suitable for chemistry," which means jars for science experiments.
- The Main Building: Archeologists found that the main building where glass was made was about 65 feet (20 meters) square. Inside, it had a special glass furnace (a very hot oven) that was designed in Germany.
The site of the glassworks was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1975. This means it's an important place in American history.
