Reed and Barton Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Reed and Barton Complex
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Taunton, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Built | 1830 |
| Architectural style | Early Commercial |
| MPS | Taunton MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002207 |
| Added to NRHP | July 5, 1984 |
The Reed and Barton Complex is a very old group of factory buildings in Taunton, Massachusetts. It was once home to a famous company called Reed & Barton. This company made beautiful silver and pewter items for many years. Because of companies like Reed & Barton, Taunton became known as the "Silver City." This important historical site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Contents
What is the Reed and Barton Complex?
The Reed and Barton Complex covers about 14 acres (5.7 hectares) of land. It sits right next to the Mill River in Taunton. The main part of the complex has many brick buildings. These buildings were constructed between 1830 and 1890. They are located on both sides of the river.
Buildings and Their Uses
- One special building has a sloped roof (called a mansard roof). It has three stories and used to hold the company's main offices. This is where important decisions were made. It also had showrooms where customers could see the beautiful products.
- Some newer buildings from the 1900s are also part of the property.
- You can still see two houses where the factory workers lived. These homes were built around 1855.
History of Reed & Barton
The story of Reed & Barton began in 1830. That's when Henry Reed and Charles Barton moved their business to this location. They quickly became famous for making items out of pewter.
From Pewter to Silver
The company officially became "Reed & Barton" in 1888. Over time, they started making silver products too. They even bought smaller companies as they grew bigger. Reed & Barton was a very successful business for many years. However, the company faced financial challenges and stopped operating in 2015.
