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{{Short description|Textile manufacturing company}}
'''Wamsutta Company''', also known as '''Wamsutta Mills''', was located in [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]], a port known for its whaling ships. The company was named for [[Wamsutta]], the son of an [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] chief who negotiated an early alliance with the English settlers of the [[Plymouth Colony]] in the 17th century.
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Wamsutta Mills
| nrhp_type = hd
| nocat = yes
| image = Wamsutta Mills NB.jpg
| caption =
| location = Acushnet Ave., Logan, Wamsutta and N. Front St., [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]]
| locmapin = Massachusetts#USA
| built = 1847
| architect = Thomas Bennett Jr, Edward Kilburn
| architecture = Utilitarian industrial
| added = August 19, 2008
| area = {{convert|19.3|acre}}
| refnum = 08000794<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Wamsutta Mill.jpg|thumb|Wamsutta Mills circa 1850 by [[William Allen Wall]]]]


Wamsutta Company's [[textile]] mill was founded on the banks of the [[Acushnet River]] in [[1846]] and opened in 1848. It was the first of many textile mills that gradually came to supplant whaling as the principal employer in New Bedford. Other mills in the area soon sprang up. By the 1870s, cotton textile manufacture was more important to the local economy than whaling.
'''Wamsutta Mills''' is a former [[textile manufacturing]] company and current [[brand]] for bedding and other household products. Founded by Thomas Bennett, Jr. on the banks of the [[Acushnet River]] in [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]] in 1846 and opened in 1848, Wamsutta Mills was named after [[Wamsutta]], the son of a [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] chief who negotiated an early alliance with the English settlers of the [[Plymouth Colony]]. It was the first of many [[textile mill]]s in New Bedford, and gradually led to cotton textile manufacturing overtaking [[whaling]] as the town's principal industry by the 1870s.


Wamsutta Mills became well known for producing fine quality shirtings, sheetings and other fine cotton products. The Wamsutta name continues to be used as a brand today, marketed by American retailer [[Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.|Bed Bath & Beyond]] in North America and Brazilian textile conglomerate [[Springs Global]] in South America.
Wamsutta Mills expanded several times, until by 1892, with a total of seven mills, Wamsutta was the largest cotton weaving plant in the world. In 1897 Wamsutta was operating 4450 looms and employing 2100 workers.


==History==
In modern times, Wamsutta is a brand name of Springs Industries, Inc., a textile conglomerate based in [[New York City]]. In 2004, the historic Wamustta Mills complex was slated for redevelopment according officials of New Bedford.
[[File:Wamsutta Mill 6.jpg|thumb|Wamsutta Mill No. 6]]


===Planning and raising funds===
⚫
[[Category:History of Massachusetts|Wamsutta Company]]
The Wamsutta Mills were conceived by Thomas Bennett Jr. of nearby [[Fairhaven, Massachusetts]]. Bennett originally planned to locate the mill in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], where he had previously worked for fellow Fairhaven native Dwight Perry, in a mill. However, one prominent investor, Congressman [[Joseph Grinnell (politician)|Joseph Grinnell]] stipulated that the mill be located in his home city, New Bedford.

On April 8, 1846, the new corporation was granted a charter from the [[Massachusetts General Court]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7vdGAQAAIAAJ&dq=wamsutta%20company%201846%20massachusetts%20general%20court&pg=PA136 Acts and resolves passed by the General Court]</ref> By mid-1847, Bennett raised $160,000 for the mill, mostly in small investments of ten shares or less from skeptical New Bedford businessmen who were unfamiliar with the textile industry. The first meeting of the stockholders was held in 1847 and [[Joseph Grinnell (politician)|Joseph Grinnell]] was elected president and Thomas Bennett Jr., who had served as the superintendent of the Wamsutta Mills from 1846 until 1874, the secretary.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=anO2kezbOh4C&dq=new%20bedford%20massachusetts&pg=PA145 New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1889]</ref>

===Early development===
Construction of the first mill began in 1847. Designed by Seth Ingalls of New Bedford, it was a stone structure, {{convert|212|ft|m}} long by {{convert|70|ft|m}} wide, with five stories. David Whitman of [[Rhode Island]] served as an advisor during the construction and setup of the mill, which was initially fitted with 10,000 spindles, with room for 5,000 more. Cloth production began in February 1849, and housing was built for its workers. Soon business began to boom, with capital increasing to $300,000 in 1853.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=n3IDAAAAQAAJ&dq=April%208%2C%201846%20massachusetts%20general%20court&pg=PA575 Private and special statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from May 1822, to March 1830]</ref> A second four-story mill, {{convert|240|ft|m}} long by {{convert|70|ft|m}} wide, was built in 1855. A third mill, a duplicate of the second, was built in 1860–1861 outfitted in 1862 and opened in 1865; the delay was due to the Civil War and labor and product shortages. By 1868 the capitalization of the company jumped to $2,000,000 and a fourth bigger mill was built. Mill No. 4 was constructed in brick, {{convert|495|ft|m}} long by {{convert|70|ft|m}} wide with four stories.

===Further development===
Thomas Bennett Jr. retired as superintendent in 1874 and was replaced by Edward Kilburn, though the company continued to grow. By 1875, capital reached $2,500,000, and [[Australia]] had recently been added as a shipping destination. Mill 5 was added north of Mill No. 4. Also of brick construction, it is {{convert|433|ft|m}} long by {{convert|93|ft|m}} wide. Shortly after, and production of [[percale]] fabric began (New Bedford is known to be the first city in the [[United States]] to make fine cotton). Famous textile magnate [[William Madison Wood]] began his textile career at the Wamsutta Mills, age fifteen, working there 1873-1876.<ref>Edward G. Roddy, Mills, Mansions and Mergers: The Life of William Madison Wood (American Textile History Museum, 1982)</ref> In 1880, the Wamsutta Mills replaced the old [[Whitin Machine Works|Whitin]] spindles with 20,000 new Rabeth spindles, which were made in [[Pawtucket, Rhode Island]] by the Fales and Jenks Machine Company. In 1882 the construction of mill number 6 was begun. It is also of brick, three stories high and {{convert|569|ft|m}} long by {{convert|95|ft|m}} wide.

===Economic success===
In 1883, the Wamsutta Mills had six mills and produced 26 million yards of cotton cloth annually.<ref>[http://www.textilehistory.org/NewBedford.html Textile History.org]</ref> [[Joseph Grinnell (politician)|Joseph Grinnell]] remained on until 1885 when he died at the age of 96; and [[Andrew G. Pierce]], William Wallace Crapo, Oliver Prescott, and Charles F. Broughton successively took his place. Soon after, in 1892, Wamsutta owned a total of seven mills, and was the largest cotton weaving plant in the world. By 1897 Wamsutta was operating 4,450 looms and employing 2,100 workers.

In 1917 plans were in the works for this massive mill to receive a modernization overhaul. Machinery was upgraded and replaced and the steam power was replaced with electric. A new focus was directed toward fine sheets and pillowcases complete with advertising campaign geared towards the public. By this time, the company operated a total of 229,000 spindles and 4,310 looms, in a city with numerous large spinning and weaving mills.<ref>1917 Textile Directory{{vague|date=September 2012}}</ref>

Prior to the [[Great Depression]], in the 1920s, the city of New Bedford, along with many other northern textile towns had their own depression. During this time, four of the city's factories closed down. The following decade almost two dozen closed. Wamsutta, however, increased its sales in 1925 while others were liquidating and closing. By 1935, their sheets were henceforth known as Supercale instead of percale. Additionally, they manufactured a new product called Lustercale, a blend of 60% cotton and 40% high strength Avril rayon. This blend feels like cotton but is somewhat softer. At some point Wamsutta changed the fiber content of Lustercale to 100% cotton. They also created the perfect weave for sails on sailing ships. Furthermore, because of the wars, they tailored their products for hot air balloons, gas mask fabric, military uniforms, and supplies. Many other fabric types were created for many other purposes and to this day Wamsutta remains a household name for fabrics.

===Recent events===
In modern times, Wamsutta is a brand name of [[Springs Global]], a Brazilian textile conglomerate, except in North America, where the brand is owned by [[Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.|Bed Bath & Beyond]]. Bed Bath & Beyond acquired the brand from Springs Global in June 2012. Springs Global retains the rights to market the Wamsutta brand in South America.<ref>[http://ir.springs.com/download_arquivos.asp?id_arquivo=393D5AF0-A596-4B57-BB51-B926B6CF3C93 Press Release: Sale of the brand Wamsutta (Portuguese) ]</ref>

In 2004, the historic Wamsutta Mills complex in Massachusetts was slated for redevelopment according to officials of New Bedford. The renovation will also include a {{convert|8000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} featuring loft style apartments with up to 3 bedrooms.

==See also==
*[[List of mills in New Bedford, Massachusetts]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in New Bedford, Massachusetts]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Hough, Henry Beetle. Wamsutta of New Bedford 1846–1946. The Vineyard Gazette, ed. New Bedford: William E. Rudge's Sons, Wamsutta Mills, 1946. Print.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/ma0142/ Wamsutta Mills - Historic American Buildings Survey]
*[http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/11-06/11-01-06/02local.htm Renovation Article November 01, 2006]

{{New Bedford, Massachusetts}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cotton mills in the United States]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in New Bedford, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Industrial buildings and structures in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Industrial buildings completed in 1847]]
[[Category:Industrial archaeological sites in the United States]]
[[Category:Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in New Bedford, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Companies based in New Bedford, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1848]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1848]]
[[Category:1848 establishments in Massachusetts]]
⚫
[[Category:Economic history of Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Textile companies of the United States]]

Latest revision as of 00:40, 13 June 2024

Wamsutta Mills
LocationAcushnet Ave., Logan, Wamsutta and N. Front St., New Bedford, Massachusetts
Area19.3 acres (7.8 ha)
Built1847
ArchitectThomas Bennett Jr, Edward Kilburn
Architectural styleUtilitarian industrial
NRHP reference No.08000794[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 19, 2008
Wamsutta Mills circa 1850 by William Allen Wall

Wamsutta Mills is a former textile manufacturing company and current brand for bedding and other household products. Founded by Thomas Bennett, Jr. on the banks of the Acushnet River in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1846 and opened in 1848, Wamsutta Mills was named after Wamsutta, the son of a Native American chief who negotiated an early alliance with the English settlers of the Plymouth Colony. It was the first of many textile mills in New Bedford, and gradually led to cotton textile manufacturing overtaking whaling as the town's principal industry by the 1870s.

Wamsutta Mills became well known for producing fine quality shirtings, sheetings and other fine cotton products. The Wamsutta name continues to be used as a brand today, marketed by American retailer Bed Bath & Beyond in North America and Brazilian textile conglomerate Springs Global in South America.

History

[edit]
Wamsutta Mill No. 6

Planning and raising funds

[edit]

The Wamsutta Mills were conceived by Thomas Bennett Jr. of nearby Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Bennett originally planned to locate the mill in Georgia, where he had previously worked for fellow Fairhaven native Dwight Perry, in a mill. However, one prominent investor, Congressman Joseph Grinnell stipulated that the mill be located in his home city, New Bedford.

On April 8, 1846, the new corporation was granted a charter from the Massachusetts General Court.[2] By mid-1847, Bennett raised $160,000 for the mill, mostly in small investments of ten shares or less from skeptical New Bedford businessmen who were unfamiliar with the textile industry. The first meeting of the stockholders was held in 1847 and Joseph Grinnell was elected president and Thomas Bennett Jr., who had served as the superintendent of the Wamsutta Mills from 1846 until 1874, the secretary.[3]

Early development

[edit]

Construction of the first mill began in 1847. Designed by Seth Ingalls of New Bedford, it was a stone structure, 212 feet (65 m) long by 70 feet (21 m) wide, with five stories. David Whitman of Rhode Island served as an advisor during the construction and setup of the mill, which was initially fitted with 10,000 spindles, with room for 5,000 more. Cloth production began in February 1849, and housing was built for its workers. Soon business began to boom, with capital increasing to $300,000 in 1853.[4] A second four-story mill, 240 feet (73 m) long by 70 feet (21 m) wide, was built in 1855. A third mill, a duplicate of the second, was built in 1860–1861 outfitted in 1862 and opened in 1865; the delay was due to the Civil War and labor and product shortages. By 1868 the capitalization of the company jumped to $2,000,000 and a fourth bigger mill was built. Mill No. 4 was constructed in brick, 495 feet (151 m) long by 70 feet (21 m) wide with four stories.

Further development

[edit]

Thomas Bennett Jr. retired as superintendent in 1874 and was replaced by Edward Kilburn, though the company continued to grow. By 1875, capital reached $2,500,000, and Australia had recently been added as a shipping destination. Mill 5 was added north of Mill No. 4. Also of brick construction, it is 433 feet (132 m) long by 93 feet (28 m) wide. Shortly after, and production of percale fabric began (New Bedford is known to be the first city in the United States to make fine cotton). Famous textile magnate William Madison Wood began his textile career at the Wamsutta Mills, age fifteen, working there 1873-1876.[5] In 1880, the Wamsutta Mills replaced the old Whitin spindles with 20,000 new Rabeth spindles, which were made in Pawtucket, Rhode Island by the Fales and Jenks Machine Company. In 1882 the construction of mill number 6 was begun. It is also of brick, three stories high and 569 feet (173 m) long by 95 feet (29 m) wide.

Economic success

[edit]

In 1883, the Wamsutta Mills had six mills and produced 26 million yards of cotton cloth annually.[6] Joseph Grinnell remained on until 1885 when he died at the age of 96; and Andrew G. Pierce, William Wallace Crapo, Oliver Prescott, and Charles F. Broughton successively took his place. Soon after, in 1892, Wamsutta owned a total of seven mills, and was the largest cotton weaving plant in the world. By 1897 Wamsutta was operating 4,450 looms and employing 2,100 workers.

In 1917 plans were in the works for this massive mill to receive a modernization overhaul. Machinery was upgraded and replaced and the steam power was replaced with electric. A new focus was directed toward fine sheets and pillowcases complete with advertising campaign geared towards the public. By this time, the company operated a total of 229,000 spindles and 4,310 looms, in a city with numerous large spinning and weaving mills.[7]

Prior to the Great Depression, in the 1920s, the city of New Bedford, along with many other northern textile towns had their own depression. During this time, four of the city's factories closed down. The following decade almost two dozen closed. Wamsutta, however, increased its sales in 1925 while others were liquidating and closing. By 1935, their sheets were henceforth known as Supercale instead of percale. Additionally, they manufactured a new product called Lustercale, a blend of 60% cotton and 40% high strength Avril rayon. This blend feels like cotton but is somewhat softer. At some point Wamsutta changed the fiber content of Lustercale to 100% cotton. They also created the perfect weave for sails on sailing ships. Furthermore, because of the wars, they tailored their products for hot air balloons, gas mask fabric, military uniforms, and supplies. Many other fabric types were created for many other purposes and to this day Wamsutta remains a household name for fabrics.

Recent events

[edit]

In modern times, Wamsutta is a brand name of Springs Global, a Brazilian textile conglomerate, except in North America, where the brand is owned by Bed Bath & Beyond. Bed Bath & Beyond acquired the brand from Springs Global in June 2012. Springs Global retains the rights to market the Wamsutta brand in South America.[8]

In 2004, the historic Wamsutta Mills complex in Massachusetts was slated for redevelopment according to officials of New Bedford. The renovation will also include a 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) featuring loft style apartments with up to 3 bedrooms.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ Acts and resolves passed by the General Court
  3. ^ New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1889
  4. ^ Private and special statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from May 1822, to March 1830
  5. ^ Edward G. Roddy, Mills, Mansions and Mergers: The Life of William Madison Wood (American Textile History Museum, 1982)
  6. ^ Textile History.org
  7. ^ 1917 Textile Directory[vague]
  8. ^ Press Release: Sale of the brand Wamsutta (Portuguese)

Further reading

[edit]
  • Hough, Henry Beetle. Wamsutta of New Bedford 1846–1946. The Vineyard Gazette, ed. New Bedford: William E. Rudge's Sons, Wamsutta Mills, 1946. Print.
[edit]
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