1826 Old Brick Mill

Old Brick Mill

Quick Facts

Location:

Northbridge, MA

Amenities

3 listed

Cellular Signal, Parking - Auto, Scenic View/Photo Spot

Along the Mumford River, stands the Old Brick Mill. This mill marked the beginning of large scale industry in Whitinsville. Paul Whitin and Sons built this structure as a cotton mill in 1826. The Brick Mill originally employed 40 workers, most of whom were from the village. It was expanded in 1830 and employed 146 workers at the height of its operation in the early 1840s.

By 1845, Whitin cotton manufacturing had outgrown this mill. The company constructed a much larger mill, and John C. Whitin began using the Brick Mill exclusively for machine production and repair. This was the beginning of the Whitin Machine Works, which eventually dominated the town.

Today, the Brick Mill is operated by Alternatives, a nonprofit that works with people with developmental disabilities. They restored the mill to its current state.