Whitin Machine Works

Change of shift at the Whitin Machine Works

Quick Facts

Location:

Northbridge, MA

Amenities

3 listed

Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot

What would become the largest textile machine manufactory in the world began with the building of Whitin Machine Works along the Mumford River in 1847. The original two-story mill, with its octagonal corner towers and crenelated battlements, accommodated 200 workers and was devoted exclusively to the production of textile machinery. The mill was expanded decade by decade as the company came to dominate the manufacture of machinery for picking, carding, and spinning cotton and wool. Additions to the plant included machine shops, foundries, and specialized structures that ultimately gave it a floor space of 1,750,00 square feet. This towering structure at the center of the village stands as a testament to the Whitin empire which dominated the global production of textile machinery until the mid-twentieth century.