American Woolen Co. Boucle cloaking fabric sample, 1912. 22 ounce weight, in Navy. A cut and curled long pile weave in a diagonal twill. For women's winter cloaks. Produced by American Woolen Co's National & Providence Worsted Mills.
The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
Sample cut of House of Salt's "Arabian Lamb" silk plush imitation fur fabric, 1914. Silk pile, cut and curled; cotton back. Color: black, 50" wide. The company, "House of Salt's" was the American branch (opened after the McKinley Tariff of 1890) of the important English firm founded by Sir Titus Salt, in Bradford, in the 1830s. Sir Titus also founded the industrial community of Saltaire, on principles of providing his workers with decent housing, and educational and cultural opportunities. Salt's various imitation furs, with silk or mohair pile, were given brand names such as Sealette, Esquimette, Meritex, Saltex Arabian Lamb, and Pomoire.
Length of Cheney Brothers Wash silk fabric. Lightweight plain weave. Yarn dyed. Green striped white with black accent pinstripe. Cheney Silks retail label attached to length with glue or adhesive. (W. 32 in., L. 1-1/2 yd.). A page from a Cheney Silks sales sample book, in the DOT study sample files, shows four additional colorways.
American Woolen Co. fancy worsted fabric samples, 1912.Group of 37 samples, all piece-dyed in various dark blues. "All worsted fancies".
Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
A two-sided pieced and tied bedcover made by Katarzyna Marysia Pietrasz Killian (1897- 1982) in Taunton, Massachusetts in the 1960s from scrap fabrics 9-patch style, made of a variety of 1950s and 1960s printed cottons. No batting. The two layers of pieced cotton fabrics were set back to back and the edges bound with commercial binding. The binding is frayed all along the edges. One side of the quilt uses a predominant "tile" print fabric in taupe, blue, brown and white. The other side has no single predominant design. Born in Poland in 1897, Katarzyna Pietrasz came to the United States in 1913. She settled in Taunton, Massachusetts, working as a weaver in Taunton’s textile mills. She and her husband raised three sons, struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression. Her grandson, who donated this quilt, recalled that Katarzyna delighted in “creative thrift,” and continued to make scrap "blankets", as the family called them, until just a few years before her death in 1982. Her grandson also recalled that Katarzyna's blankets accompanied family members to college, to the beach, and into married life. This example of her work exhibits the wear consistent with its history of use in the family, as well as many mends, both hand and machine stitched, that testify to its history of thrift and family affection.
These shears, pressing board, buttonhole cutter, buttonhole scissors, thread holders, and measuring sticks were owned by a Russian Jew named Barnet Rudin. An apprentice tailor from Minsk, Rudin immigrated to New York City in 1899 and finally settled in Rochester, NY, in 1908. There he opened a tailor's shop, which he continued to run up until his death in 1959.
American Woolen Co. iridescent diagonal Cheviot fabric sample, 1912. 18 ounce weight; green, red, and black mixture. [NB: the sample suggests more of a blue-green and reddish-brown coloring than green and red] The ground is black, with a brushed surface of longer fibres in two colors. Produced by American Woolen Co's National & Providence Worsted Mills.
The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Co. Coarse fancy worsted Cheviot mixture fabric samples; All worsted, skein dyed mixtures; A = dark grey; B = brown. Bound with black tape by machine.
Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Co., all-wool, fancy diagonal, double-faced overcoating fabric samples, 1912. A 17" x 25" sample of reversible heavy overcoat fabric; one side is light and dark brown stripes, reversing to Light and dark brown and green plaid. Edges bound in white. Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Co. cotton carded 3/4 twill reversible overcoating fabric samples, 1912. A. Gray; B. Green-gray; C. blue, in a herringbone weave. Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Company trouser fabric samples, 1912. Piece-dyed 1/2 mercerized worsted trouserings. #s 1 & 2 are black, grey, and white; #s 3 & 4 are black. Bound with black tape by machine. Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
Two fabric samples of woven worsted wool; Unfinished, skein dyed mixture; bound with black tape by machine. Sample 1 is in Navy; Sample 2 is in dark gray with red pinstripes.
From the American Woolen Company; Manufactured by the National and Providence Woolen Mills, Providence, RI.
The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
Six samples of All-worsted Cheviot cloth from American Woolen Mills, National and Providence Worsted Mills; bound with black tape by machine.
Color: 1. Black with white & dk red pinstripes, 2. Navy with white pinstripes, 3. Brown with white pinstripes, 4. Navy with dark red pinstripes, 5. Navy with white pinstripes, 6. Navy with dark red pinstripes. Manufactured by the National and Providence Woolen Mills, Providence, RI.
The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Company Zebiline Cheviot fabric sample, 1912. 17-ounce black wool twill weave cloth with long napped surface on a diagonal base. Coating weight. Produced by American Woolen Co.'s National & Providence Worsted Mills. The term "Cheviot" reflects the use of coarse wools such as those shorn from the Scottish Cheviot breed of sheep.
Produced by American Woolen Co's National & Providence Worsted Mills. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Company Fancy all-worsted fabric samples; Mill finish, piece-dyed, 1912. Bound with black tape by machine. A = Brown; B = Navy w/ red and white pin stripes; C = Very dark blue D = Black.
Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Co., all-wool frieze (a heavy woolen fabric, fulled after weaving) fabric samples, 1912. A. Charcoal gray; B. medium gray; C. green/gray. Sample edges are pinked. Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Co. 1/2 fancy worsted fabric samples, 1912. 7 samples; Union-dyed. Sample .07 has "mixture" on hand written tag. COLOR: 1. Black, 2. Brown w/ red & white pin stripes, 3. Brown w/ red pin stripes, 4. Brown, 5. Navy, 6. Brown w/ black & white pin stripes, 7. Grey herringbone.
Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Company trouser fabric samples, 1912. 1/4 mercerized worsted trouserings. Both are dark grey with black stripe variations Fabric sample is bound with black tape by machine. Paper label: "A.W. Co. of N.Y., Dept TWO" plus a stock (?) number. "1/4 mercerized worsted trouserings" Manufactured by the National and Providence Worsted Mills, Providence, RI. The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
American Woolen Co. kersey overcoating fabric samples (2), 1912. A. Midnight blue; B. Black. B has a 3" x 3" cut from corner. Sample edges are pinked. Kersey is a mid-weight twill weave. Produced by American Woolen Co's National & Providence Worsted Mills.
The Providence and National Worsted Mills, founded in Rhode Island in the 1870s, were originally two companies owned by Charles Fletcher, one a spinning and one a weaving mill for working with worsted yarns. Fletcher amalgamated the two companies into one in 1893, and then sold this company to the large Lawrence-based American Woolen Company in 1899. When the Lawrence mill workers struck against pay cuts in 1912 (the Bread and Roses strike), the American Woolen Company was one of the firms affected. The Rhode Island mills, however, did not strike.
