Historical society exhibit covers Winsted manufacturing

WINSTED — The Winchester Historical Society is about to unveil a new exhibition that compiles pieces of Winsted’s manufacturing history.

Director Milly Hudak said she has been gathering information on many products that have been manufactured in Winsted over the years, ranging from hoes and clocks to the hardware for a presidential coffin.

During an interview last week at the historical society’s Solomon Rockwell House, Hudak pointed out one of the oldest manufacturing-era photos in the society’s collection, an 1885 shot of the American Hoe Co. The company’s headquarters was just across the street from the Solomon Rockwell House.

“The American Hoe Co. used to make cast steel garden hoes, which makes me wonder if the machinery used in these factories was also made and manufactured here in Winsted,� Hudak said. “I’m very interested in finding any machinery that originated here in Winsted to add to our collection, since importation was so rare back in the 1800s. I’d be willing to bet that a lot of the manufacturing plant machinery was made here as well.�

One of the most interesting facts about Winsted manufacturing comes from the Morgan Silver Plate Co., which Hudak explained produced hardware for coffins. The company is credited with making the coffin hardware for Ulysses S. Grant’s coffin. The story appears in an article in the Winsted Herald from July 1885.

“Winsted was really an industrial mecca back in the day, especially with Whiting Mills,� Hudak said. “There was tremendous wealth from the industrial age here. You can tell from all the older large homes that are still around.�

Hudak said her own grandparents worked at the Winsted Hosiery Co., which was located in the Whiting Mills complex.

“I feel like I can still hear the machines running and the smells from the machines. The presence definitely still sticks around,� she said.

Visitors to the latest exhibition can also see products from The Winsted Silk Co., which was located on Monroe Street in the late 19th century. The company produced spool and embroidery silk. Hudak said the factory’s silk was the best grade of embroidery silk in the country. Hudak also has a rare banjo that was decorated in the Fenway Studio in Winsted, which was located at 595 Main St. The banjo is signed I.L. Rank, who decorated the banjo with cartoon characters.

“Mr. Rank was well known throughout Winsted,� Hudak said. “He owned a sporting goods store where all the local men would hang out.�

Those who visit the historical society will also notice an abundance of clocks decorating the facility. All but three are Gilbert Clocks, from the famous Gilbert Clock Co., but there was another clockmaker before Gilbert.

“Most people don’t realize that Riley Whiting started making clocks well before Gilbert did, so we’re lucky to have three of Mr. Whiting’s clocks, all of which still run.�

Hudak said she hopes visitors will be interested in knowing not only what was made here back then but also what is being made here in Winsted now.

The Winsted manufacturing exhibition will be open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout September and October and at other times by appointment. For more information or to make an appointment, call Milly Hudak at 860-379-8433.