Phillips Woolen Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Phillips Woolen Mill
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 71 Grove St., Adams, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1.1 acres (0.45 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001897 |
| Added to NRHP | September 30, 1982 |
The Phillips Woolen Mill is a very old building located at 71 Grove Street in Adams, Massachusetts. This historic mill complex shows how small textile mills looked and worked in the mid-1800s. Some parts of the mill might even be from the 1830s! It was officially added to the National Historic Register in 1982 because of its important history.
Contents
What Does the Mill Look Like?
The old Phillips Woolen Mill is on the west side of Grove Street in Adams. It's close to the town of Cheshire.
Main Buildings and Structures
The main building is made of brick and has three floors. It also has a tall, square tower with four floors at one end. Connected to this main building are four other structures. Two of these are also made of brick, and one is made of stone. There is a sixth building that was built later, around the 1920s. It is made of steel and concrete.
How the Mill Used Power
Mills like this one often used water power from nearby rivers or streams. They had special channels called "head races" and "tail races" to direct the water. These channels would turn large water wheels, which then powered the machines inside the mill. At the Phillips Woolen Mill, these original water channels have been filled in over time.
A Look Back at the Mill's History
It's a bit tricky to know exactly when the oldest parts of the Phillips Woolen Mill were built. Some records suggest there might have been an even older mill on this spot as far back as 1828.
Early Days and Changes
By the 1850s, the mill was clearly connected to a company called Blackinton and Phillips. Some parts of the mill even show signs of a building style called Greek Revival architecture. This style was popular before the 1850s. Many history books say the mill was built in 1864. This is because that's when it was changed to specifically make woolen goods.
The Phillips Family and Woolen Goods
Benjamin F. Phillips and Peter Blackinton worked together for many years. They owned and ran several mills in Adams. In 1864, their partnership ended. Phillips then took over this mill, which became known as the Greylock Woolen Mill.
His company made many different woolen products. These included "cashmeres," which are soft fabrics, and "ladies' dress goods," which were materials for women's clothing. They also made shawls. The mill continued to make these items into the 1930s. Over the years, the company changed its name a few times. By the end, it was known as the Adams Woolen Manufacturing Company.
