Wood Worsted Mill Photographs, 1905-1958
Collection Number: 6510/002 P
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Wood Worsted Mill Photographs, 1905-1958
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
6510/002 P
Abstract:
Images depict the 1905 construction of Wood Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and the
demolition of that mill in 1958.
Creator:
Wood Worsted Mill
Quanitities:
0.44 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
The Wood Worsted Mill is located at South Union St. and Merrimack Street, on the south
bank of the Merrimack River, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The mill building was constructed
between 1906 and 1909 for the American Woolen Company, and was dubbed by some locals
as the "eighth wonder of the world" due to its size. It is a six story brick building
that is 1,300 feet (400 m) long and 125 feet (38 m) high, and encompasses some 17
miles (27 km) of aisles. Its purpose when built was to perform the complete textile
manufacturing cycle of worsted woolens, from raw material to finished fabric, under
a single roof.
Nine photographs, mostly dated October 8, 1905, showing the construction of the Wood
Worsted Mill, of the American Woolen Company, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Fifteen
photographs showing the 1958 demolition of the Wood Worsted Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Wood Worsted Mill Photographs #6510/002 P. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation
and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Related Collections: 6510: American Woolen Company Collection 6510 PUBS: American
Woolen Company Publications 6510/001: American Woolen Company Records 6510/003: Andrew
G. Pierce Papers 6510/004: Ayer Mill Records 6510/005: Benjamin Duce & Albert Greenwood
Papers 6510/006: Bruno J. Falanga Papers 6510/007: Francis W. White Papers 6510/008:
John J. Howell Papers 6510/009: Ralph L. Sheridan Papers 6510/010: William H. Baker
Papers
Names:
American Woolen Company.
Wood Worsted Mill (Lawrence, Mass.)
Wood Worsted Mills Overseers Association.
Subjects:
Labor--Male
Lost architecture
Textile factories
Textile factories--Design and construction
Textile workers
Wrecking.
Andover (Mass.)
Lawrence (Mass.)
Shawsheen Station (Mass.)
Shawsheen Village (Mass.)
CONTAINER LIST
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Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Construction Photos (Oct. 8, 1905)
|
1905 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 1: Construction of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.: First section near the front
of the building
|
1905 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts large stone blocks in foreground with crane in background; workmen visible
in left background; bridge over Merrimack River visible in background. Dated Oct.
8, 1905. The Wood Worsted Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 17 x 12 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 2: Construction of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.: View of open excavation area
|
1905 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
Image depicts a large open area where excavation has already taken place. First section
of mill to be built here. Workmen visible in background. Dated Oct. 8, 1905. The Wood
Worsted Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 17 x 12 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 3: Construction of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.: Second section of building
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1905 |
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Format: Black and White photograph
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|||
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Scope and Contents
Image depicts a large open area where the second section of the building would be
placed. Workmen visible in foreground; Merrimack River visible in background. Dated
Oct. 8, 1905. The Wood Worsted Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 17 x
12 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 4: Construction of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.: Wood forms for concrete wall
|
1905 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
Image depicts the wood forms in the background for the concrete wall to be erected.
Workman with wheelbarrow in foreground; other workmen visible in left background.
Dated Oct. 8, 1905. The Wood Worsted Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company.
17 x 12 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 5: Construction of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.: Overview of excavated area
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1905 |
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Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
Image depicts an overview of the excavated area for the mill construction. Burning
brush pile in right middle ground; Merrimack River barely visible on the left. Dated
Oct. 8, 1905. The Wood Worsted Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 17 x
12 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 6: Construction of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.: Part of third section of building
|
1905 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
Image depicts a view of the area where the third section of the building would be
built; foundation has been partially dug out; wood forms for retaining wall on left.
Dated Oct. 8, 1905. The Wood Worsted Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company.
17 x 12 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 7: Construction of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.: Location of the power house
|
1905 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
Image depicts the area where the power house was to be built. Laborers have begun
digging for a foundation; horses and wagons are visible. Dated Oct. 8, 1905. The Wood
Worsted Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 17 x 12 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 8: Construction of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.: Overview of construction area
|
1905 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts an overview of the construction area. Similar to box 1, folder 1, item
5. Dated Oct. 8, 1905. The Wood Worsted Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company.
17 x 12 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 9: Construction of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.: Concrete wall running length
of area
|
1905 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
Image depicts a view of the concrete wall erected; it runs to within 40 feet of the
little white house in the background; total length 1485 feet. The Wood Worsted Mill
was owned by the American Woolen Company. 17.75 x 12.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Demolition Photos
|
1954-1958 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 1: Shawsheen Station, Boston & Maine Railroad, Andover, Mass
|
1954 |
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Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
ca1954. Image depicts the Shawsheen Village train station, with the former American
Woolen Company building in the background. 25.5 x 21 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 2: Demolition of the north wing of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass
|
1958 |
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Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill in Lawrence,
Mass.; crane with wrecking ball works on north side; clock over entrance still visible
on right. The Wood Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 20.5 x 25.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 3: Demolition of the north wing of the Wood Mill inside the courtyard, Lawrence,
Mass
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill in Lawrence,
Mass. as seen from within the courtyard; demolition debris along the ground; fourth
floor has been leveled. The Wood Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 25.5
x 20.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 4: Demolition near entrance of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the demolition near the entrance of the Wood Worsted Mill on the north
wing. Holes evident in building facade; workman visible at the top of the crane. The
Wood Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 20.5 x 25.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 5: Overview of demolition of the north wing of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill in Lawrence,
Mass., showing the complete destruction of the face of the building including the
entrance. The Merrimack River is visible to the left. The Wood Mill was owned by the
American Woolen Company. See folder 1, item 14 for an almost identical view. 25.5
x 20.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 6: Close-up view of clock at entrance of the north wing of the Wood Mill, Lawrence,
Mass., before demolition
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the clock over the entrance of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill
in Lawrence, Mass., before the wrecking crane has reached it. Some demolition already
visible to the left. The Wood Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. See also
folder 1, item 7-9. 25.5 x 20.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 7: Another view of clock at entrance of the north wing of the Wood Mill, Lawrence,
Mass., before demolition
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the clock over the entrance of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill
in Lawrence, Mass., before demolition has begun. The Wood Mill was owned by the American
Woolen Company. See also folder 1, item 6 and folder 1, item 8-9. 25.5 x 20.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 8: Another view of clock at entrance of the north wing of the Wood Mill, Lawrence,
Mass., before demolition
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the clock over the entrance of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill
in Lawrence, Mass., before demolition has begun. Workmen are visible at the top of
the crane in the upper left corner of the photo. The Wood Mill was owned by the American
Woolen Company. See also folder 1, item 6-7 and folder 1, item 9. 20.5 x 25.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 9: Another view of clock at entrance of the north wing of the Wood Mill, Lawrence,
Mass.
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the clock over the entrance of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill
in Lawrence, Mass. Demolition of the area beyond it clearly visible. Workmen visible
at tope of construction crane (seen at left). The Wood Mill was owned by the American
Woolen Company. See also folder 1, item 6-8. 20.5 x 25.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 10: Bystanders watch the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Mill, Lawrence,
Mass
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts bystanders standing on a bridge over the Merrimack River, observing
the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill in Lawrence, Mass. From
this angle, demolition appears almost complete. The Wood Mill was owned by the American
Woolen Company. 25.5 x 20.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 11: Demolition of the north wing of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass.
|
1958 |
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Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
Image depicts the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill in Lawrence,
Mass., from an angle along the river (probably from a bridge). Large cloud of dust
from the wreckage is visible. See folder 1, item 12 for an almost identical view.
The Wood Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 25.25 x 20.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 12: Demolition of the north wing of the Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass., from the
Merrimack River
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill in Lawrence,
Mass., from an angle along the river (probably from a bridge). Large cloud of dust
from the wreckage is visible. See folder 1, item 11 for an almost identical view.
The Wood Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 25.25 x 20.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 13: Close-up view of the debris from the demolition of the north wing of the
Wood Mill, Lawrence, Mass
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the debris from the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Worsted
Mill in Lawrence, Mass.; open interior walls are visible in the background. The Wood
Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 20.5 x 25.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 14: Overview of the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Mills, Lawrence,
Mass.
|
1958 |
|
Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill in Lawrence,
Mass., showing the complete destruction of the face of the building including the
entrance. More demolition is evident in the left background. The Merrimack River is
visible to the left. The Wood Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. See folder
1, item 5 for an almost identical view. 25.5 x 20.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Item 15: Demolition of the north wing of the Wood Mills, Lawrence, Mass.
|
1958 |
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Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
Image depicts the demolition of the north wing of the Wood Worsted Mill in Lawrence,
Mass., showing the gutted interior and partially remaining outside walls. The Wood
Mill was owned by the American Woolen Company. 25.5 x 20.5 cm.
Format: Black and White photograph.
|
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| Box 2 | Folder 1 |
Wood Worsted Mills - Overseers Association. Wardhurst, Sept. 23, 1922
|
1922 |
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Format: Black and White photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
panoramic group photo
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