Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Bennett-Merwin Silver Co. 1912-1914
• Carbonized Stone & Pipe Co. ca. 1890
• Charles M. Beach Farm Implements ca. 1895-ca. 1905
• Danforth Co. 1935-ca. 1940
• Maguire Industries ca. 1940-late 20th c.
• Merwin-Wilson Co. 1914-1935

Use (Historic)

• Consumer Products, Small Appliances
• Fabricated Metal Products
• Other: Ceramic Products

Largest Documented Workforce

1-9 (1939)

Historic Narrative

The origins of the Merwin-Wilson Silver Company date to October 1912 and the organization of the Bennett-Merwin Silver Company. The latter firm was established by twin brothers Merritt Beach and Marcus Gaylord Merwin of New Milford, and Charles Bennett of Tauton, Massachusetts. The firm manufactured plated flatware and hollow-ware, and occupied the small shop at the corner of South Avenue and Sterling Place, which had previously housed a variety of uses including a manufactory run by the Carbonized Stone and Pipe Company, Charles M. Beach’s farm implement shop, and a storage facility for household goods. The Bennett-Merwin Silver Company operated just two month’s before Merritt Merwin was tragically killed while adjusting some machinery in the plant. Just 29 years of age, Merwin had married only one year before and in addition to his widow left behind an infant daughter. Despite the loss of one of its founders, Bennett-Merwin continued to operate under the leadership of Marcus Merwin and Charles Bennett until the latter partner departed to take a job with the Oneida Community Silver Company in 1914. Merwin then partnered with his brother-in-law, J. LeRoy, Wilson, to form the Merwin-Wilson Silver Company, which continued to operate the plant until 1935. In addition to silver-plated wares, the Merwin-Wilson Silver Company also manufactured a variety of pewter products. Many of these were reproductions of Colonial items popular during the contemporary resurgence of that style. After the company ceased operation this work was continued by the Danforth Company, which retained the plant until it was sold to Bridgeport-based Maguire Industries ca. 1940. Maguire Industries retooled the factory for the production of variable transformers, which were initially completed under contract with the United States Navy. The company continued to operate the New Milford factory into the second half of the 20th century.

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly four (4) adjoining blocks.

Dates of Construction

ca. 1890, ca. 1912, ca. 1940, ca. 1945.

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill

Architectural Description

The former Merwin-Wilson Silver Company plant is comprised of four primary adjoining blocks located at the southwest corner of the intersection of South Avenue and Sterling Place. The main block was erected ca. 1890 and is the oldest portion of the factory. It is of a two-and-a-half-story, 62’ x 34’ wood-frame structure with a fieldstone and red brick foundation, vertical board siding, wide rakeboards, and a side-gabled roof. Fenestration consists of double-hung wood sash, these in six-over-six arrangements. Three gabled dormers are evenly spaced across the building’s north (façade) elevation, while the primary entrance to the building is located on the east side of the block. The entry consists of six-paneled wood door flanked by pilasters and with a simple entablature above. A one-story wood-frame ell adjoins the main block’s west (side) elevation. This measures roughly 12’ x 38’ and has vertical board siding and a shed roof. A two-story, 24’ x 63’ wood-frame ell extends to the south from the western side of the main block’s south (rear) elevation. This was erected ca. 1912, and then enlarged to its present size ca. 1940. It is similar in detail to that of the original construction, yet has clapboard rather than vertical board siding. The L-shaped footprint created by the junction of the main block and the ca. 1912/ca. 1940 ell was infilled ca. 1945 through the erection of a one-story, 38’ x 62’ addition. This is of concrete block construction and has a mix of double-hung and casement wood windows and a shed roof.

Exterior Material(s)

• Concrete Block
• Wood

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry
• Wood Frame

Roof Form

• Gable
• Shed

Roof Material

• Asphalt

Power Source

• Electricity
• Steam

Condition

Fair, Deteriorated

Condition Notes

The complex is in fair to deteriorated condition. The plant appears to be structurally sound, however, the exterior walls and windows are in need of maintenance and repairs.

Specific Location

One legal parcel (2 Sterling Place) totaling 0.31 acres located at the southwest corner of the intersection of South Avenue and Sterling Place.

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 28/2/58 / Link →

Acreage

0.31

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Vacant

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

07/27/2015

Bibliography

1. List of Connecticut Manufacturers, 1922, 1924, 1930, 1932.
2. Directory of Connecticut State Manufacturers, 1936, 1939.
3. Industrial Directory of Connecticut, 1947.
4. Register of War Production Facilities in Connecticut, 1951.
5. Map of Litchfield County; Hopkins, G.M., 1859.
6. Sanborn Map Company, 1887, 1892, 1897, 1904, 1909, 1931, 1939.
7. Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale University, 1915.
8. New Milford Revisited; New Milford Historical Society, 2015.