Wood Worsted Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wood Worsted Mill
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lawrence, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1906 |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000539 |
| Added to NRHP | August 12, 2010 |
The Wood Worsted Mill is a huge old factory building in Lawrence, Massachusetts. It sits right next to the Merrimack River. This amazing building was constructed between 1906 and 1909.
It was built for a company called the American Woolen Company. People in the area were so impressed by its size that they called it the "eighth wonder of the world"!
The mill is a six-story building made of brick. It's about 1,300 feet (396 meters) long and 125 feet (38 meters) high. Inside, there are about 17 miles (27 kilometers) of walkways! Its main job was to turn raw wool into finished fabric. Everything from start to finish happened under one roof.
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What is the Wood Worsted Mill?
The Wood Worsted Mill is a very large industrial building. It was designed to produce worsted woolens. This means it made high-quality wool fabric.
The mill complex originally had several buildings. Today, only the main building and part of a storage building remain.
How Big Was the Original Mill?
The storage building was seven stories tall and made of brick. It was located just east of the main mill. About half of this original storage building is still standing.
In 2009, some parts of the complex were taken down. This included two sections of the storage building. Some parts of the main mill building were also removed.
What Does the Main Mill Building Look Like Today?
The main Wood Worsted Mill building is now divided into four sections. It has a special design style called Romanesque Revival. This means it looks like old Roman buildings.
The building is made of brick. It also has details made from granite and cast stone.
Exploring the Mill's Sections
The first part of the building is an office section. It sticks out from the main part of the mill. Like the rest of the building, it has six stories. A clock tower sits on top of this office section.
The other three sections were once called D, E, and F. They stretch out eastward from the office. Section D has 33 window bays (sections with windows). Section E has 42 window bays, and Section F has 45.
Special Features of the Building
On the south side of the building (the side facing the street), there are three stairwell towers. These towers break up the long wall of the building. They are where people enter the mill. The doorways are set back under arches.
The north side of the building faces the river. This side has many windows. It also has wrought iron fire escapes. Some window areas are bricked up. This is where the building used to connect to other sections (A, B, and C) that were taken down. These connections were covered bridges over a railroad track.
Why is the Wood Worsted Mill Important?
The Wood Worsted Mill complex was recognized as a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 12, 2010. This means it's an important part of history.
At the time it was listed, section D of the mill was being changed. It was being turned into homes for people to live in.
