Windsor Print Works facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Windsor Print Works
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Windsor Print Works
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 121 Union St., North Adams, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Built | 1872 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000296 |
| Added to NRHP | May 17, 1973 |
Windsor Print Works is an old building in North Adams, Massachusetts. It used to be a textile mill, which is a factory where people make cloth. This factory started way back in 1829. It was special because it was one of the first textile mills in western Massachusetts. It was also the very first place in the United States to print designs on cotton fabric!
In 1973, Windsor Print Works was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. Today, this historic building is home to many art studios and small businesses.
What is Windsor Print Works?
The Windsor Print Works is located in North Adams, Massachusetts. It sits near the Hoosic River. The property is about 9 acres (3.6 hectares) in size. It has twelve buildings that are all connected. These buildings are made of brick and are two to four stories tall. They were all built between 1872 and 1889.
The factory started using water power from the river in the 1820s. This water power helped run the machines inside the mill.
History of the Print Works
Caleb Turner started the Windsor Print Works in 1829. It was the first factory of its kind in Western Massachusetts. The factory made printed cotton fabric, which was a new and exciting product at the time.
In the 1920s, a company called Consolidated Textile Company took over the plant. They continued to make textiles there for many years. However, the company closed down in 1956. This happened because of competition from factories in other countries.
After it closed, the main building was bought by Stanley Shapiro in 1960. He used it mostly for storage. Then, in 1973, the Economic Development Corporation of North Berkshire took over the building. They decided to turn it into a place for arts and crafts.
In the 1980s, the city of North Adams took ownership of the building. Today, Windsor Print Works is a busy place. It is used for small manufacturing businesses and many art-related activities. You can find art galleries there, and artists use the space for their studios.
