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jgbeam
10th of January 2005 (Mon), 15:24
Here are some scanned images of American Thread in Willimantic, CT, shot in summer 2002, before the transformation began.

The river side of the mill
http://img2.imagevenue.com/loc32/_Artspace01.jpg

The dam at the east end of the mill
http://img1.imagevenue.com/loc4/_Artspace02.jpg

Looking west at the mill
http://img2.imagevenue.com/loc55/_Artspace03.jpg

Some interior shots:

Water gushing through the foundation wall. The river is on the other side. The brick pilasters were added later when the ends of the timber floor beams began to rot.
http://img2.imagevenue.com/loc69/_Artspace04.jpg

Typical heavy timber New England mill framing. Columns at 8 feet on center along the length of the building and 20 feet on center across the building. Notice the overhead pulley system which drove all the machinery from water power.
http://img2.imagevenue.com/loc4/_Artspace05.jpg

More of the interior:
http://img2.imagevenue.com/loc74/_Artspace06.jpg

The old freight elevator.
http://img2.imagevenue.com/loc7/_Artspace07.jpg

Next time: The work begins!

Jim
sparker1
10th of January 2005 (Mon), 20:35
Fascinating photos. You did a great job of documenting the factory. What transformation are you referring to?
jgbeam
10th of January 2005 (Mon), 20:47
Fascinating photos. You did a great job of documenting the factory. What transformation are you referring to?

It's being converted into an "Artspace" building - low rent living/studio/exhibit space for artists. It will be completed in about 4 months.

Jim
stoneylonesome
11th of January 2005 (Tue), 11:00
Nice series. Glad to see that it's going to be put back to good use then just torn down. It's sad to drive around Connecticut and see all the old VACANT manufacturing buildings, espicially those that were built in the late 1800's early 1900's.
jgbeam
11th of January 2005 (Tue), 13:46
Nice series. Glad to see that it's going to be put back to good use then just torn down. It's sad to drive around Connecticut and see all the old VACANT manufacturing buildings, espicially those that were built in the late 1800's early 1900's.

These old mill buildings are my favorite building type. My office in Hartford is in what was originally the Jacobs Chuck manufacturing building, built in about 1915. Basically the same type of construction as American Thread except it is brick instead of granite.

Jim
marie
15th of January 2005 (Sat), 15:39
wow
big building
' the work begins' you say
will you be working on it's new 'life' ?

and you mention water power .
well (pun) a lot water power has been seen lately

wonderful that they could use it for good purposes in the past.
is this kind of thing ever done today ? for any reason
jgbeam
15th of January 2005 (Sat), 18:43
wow
big building
' the work begins' you say
will you be working on it's new 'life' ?

This is one of my major projects (I am a structural engineer), now well along in its transformation. It will become a residential/studio/exhibit building for artists. I will be posting some images showing the progress.
and you mention water power .
well (pun) a lot water power has been seen lately

wonderful that they could use it for good purposes in the past.is this kind of thing ever done today ? for any reason

There is power being generated right now under this building. Water flows in one end through a 9 foot diameter pipe and through a turbine at the other end. :D This is a very interesting project. :cool:

Jim
marie
17th of January 2005 (Mon), 09:29
There is power being generated right now under this building. Water flows in one end through a 9 foot diameter pipe and through a turbine at the other end. :D This is a very interesting project. :cool:

Jim:)

thanks for the information Jim