An independent nonprofit 501c3 history center.
Funded by the generosity of people like you.
Shawsheen Life: A Place to Work
In the 1920’s American Woolen Company was the world’s largest textile corporation. It had 63 mills, spread out over 8 states with around 40,000 employees. In their booklet From Wool to Cloth printed in 1924 the company boasted of the amount of fabric produced annually. They claimed that if all of the pieces of woolen fabric made in a year by the American Woolen Company were paced end to end, this long strip would extend about one-sixth of the mean distance from the earth to the moon.
The Shawsheen Mill was built in 1921 together with a dye house and a 10 story warehouse building. The warehouse stood on sidings connected to the Boston and Maine railroad.
The mill had its own power plant to supply electrical power and heating. The power plant also supplied power, steam and hot water to commercial buildings and some homes. Lines from the power plant went as far as the dormitory on Argyle Street, the old Town Farm building.
The mill employeed around 2600 workers. A railway staition was built to bring in workers, homes in Shawsheen Village were intended for the upper and middle management only.
The mill had its own power plant to supply electrical power and heating. The power plant also supplied power, steam and hot water to commercial buildings and some homes. Lines from the power plant went as far as the dormitory on Argyle Street, the old Town Farm building.
The mill employeed around 2600 workers. A railway staition was built to bring in workers, homes in Shawsheen Village were intended for the upper and middle management only.
The booklet Shawsheen The World's Woolen and Worsted Centre was published by the company in 1924. Intended as an advertisement for the new village it outlined its development and the advantages of life there.
The American Woolen Mill's Employee Booster magazine covered all the mills and contained news of promotions, births, marriages, day trips, summer camps, recipies and knitting patterns.
Preserving the pastEducating for the future
Connecting with our community
Preserving the past
Educating for the future
Connecting with our community
Andover Center for History & Culture
97 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
978-475-2236
Andover Center for History & Culture
97 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
978-475-2236
The History Center is funded by individual, foundation, and corporate donations and receives no Town of Andover funding.
Show your commitment to Andover's history by donating today.
The History Center is funded by individual, foundation, and corporate donations and receives no Town of Andover funding.
Show your commitment to Andover's history by donating today.
Show your commitment to Andover's history by donating today.
