A day at an old New England mill

The Bernat Mill, also known as Capron Mill, was a yarn mill in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, USA, that was destroyed by fire on July 21, 2007.
This mill complex at Uxbridge had been a hub of manufacturing for Bernat, once based in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. The town of Uxbridge was the site of Bernat's main manufacturing unit in the later 20th century. This was the third largest yarn mill in the U.S. The Bernat mill and the town of Uxbridge have a role in U.S. history, and the history of the American Textile manufacturing.  In the early morning of July 21, 2007, a fire erupted at the historic mill, devastating the complex on Mendon and Depot Street. 600 firefighters, from 66 communities, battled the blaze, but the complex was nearly totally destroyed. At the time of the fire, the 400,000 square feet structure, had ceased operating as a mill and had been converted into space containing 65 small businesses. The business losses following the fire were estimated in the millions of dollars and between 300-500 people lost their jobs.
My mother introduced me to this mill in 2006 on a prim shopping trip, I was devastated when it burned down.  The prim businesses have now moved to another historic mill . The Linwood Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district in Northbridge, Massachusetts. It is the site of the Linwood Cotton Mill
Here is a picture of the mill



Here is a picture of the entrance



I really love this place so much. When I walk into this mill I stand and think of all the hard workers that worked here,it is just an amazing place. When God closes a door he opens a window.

Here is a picture of the business owner Corinna Taylor and I.

 

Next to her is an antique cash register that tallies up our order and still works after all these years.

 

Corinna is so kind, friendly,gracious and helpful. She goes out of her way to help everyone. When I go in there she knows you right away and ALWAYS has a big smile on her face!!! They make you feel like you are a friend, not a customer. Thanks Corinna for letting me take pictures of your beautiful mill and posting this on my blog. I have spent hours in there, many, many times.

Here are some pictures I took of bread boards, spoons,signs, pictures, old hutches and yellow ware

















I have been collecting yellow ware and Mr. Hillcrest said , Hey, Honey come see what I found and here is a picture of what he found.



I said Woo Hoo, I bet that is about $65.00 or more and then he showed me the price, okay prims hold on to your seat, drum roll please~~~~~~$15.00. Yes, you read it right I had to look twice at the price because I couldn't believe my eyes as it is a really large piece. I told Mr. Hillcrest he needs to come with me more often because he has the eye for antiques and he ALWAYS finds the BARGAINS!!!!!!
Here is some more pictures of some yellow ware I saw there





Gorgeous, don't you think???

This is one of the many fantastic places we go to find our prim items in historic New England. As we explore more places, we will share them with you.  I have a list a mile long as I do alot of shopping with Mr. Hillcrest from Rhode Island to Vermont, New Hampshire and throughout Massachusetts.  The thrill of the hunt is one of our favorite activities, especially when we find a good deal.
Well prims, I had a ball. I told you prims I was going to have a recipe for you but Mr. Hillcrest took me out to the mill and I got sidetracked but I will be posting a recipe next week and a dessert to make it up to you prims.
I hope you all had a great time reading my post this week. I hope you all have a blessed week, stay safe and warm, my friends!!

Until next time Prims,
~Blessings~
Tricia