Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• J. Rossie Velvet Co. 1898
• Templetone Radio Manufacturing Co. c.1940s

Use (Historic)

• Clocks, Precision Equipment
• Consumer Products, Small Appliances
• Textiles

Largest Documented Workforce

500 (1920s)

Historic Narrative

The Mystic Industrial Company was incorporated in 1897 to attract manufacturing to the village, and raised $22,000 to bring in a German velvet mill. It received two acres of land from one of its directors, on which the Rossie Velvet Co. mill was built. Production began in 1898, under management by the owners of a German velvet mill. The mill employed many German immigrant workers, and specialized in 'transparent velvet'. John T. Rossie immigrated from Germany to Mystic in 1910 to run the mill. Due to its German ownership, it was targeted by the Alien Property Custodian in World War I, and the assets were seized and sold at auction to William Oppenhum and Sons of New York, which had been commission merchants for the mill's products. Rossie nonetheless remained in charge, and when the mill closed in 1937 after the Great Depression, he reorganized the company as the J. Rossie Velvet Co. Sold in 1955 to a new owner, the mill continued to produce high quality velvet until 1958. The Templetone Radio Manufacturing Corporation was founded by Oscar Dune in 1941. Dune, a New York City attorney, also founded the Beth-El Synagogue in New London and Adath Israel, the Conservative Synagogue of Riverdale, New York. Templetone made broadband and shortwave radios, producing for the military during World War II, as well as early televisions. The company leased space in the J. Rossie Velvet mill.

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

1898, 1902

Architect

Robert D. Kohn

Builder

n/a

Building Type

n/a

Architectural Description

The earliest factory block was built in 1898. Five additions were made between 1902 and 1932. According to the National Register Nomination Form for the district, one or more of the blocks were designed by Robert D. Kohn (1870-1953), an architect active in New York City.

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Sawtooth

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

One 7.4 acre parcel on east side of Greenmanville Avenue between Velvet Lane and Rossie Pentway. Located in the Rossie Velvet Mill Historic District (2007); https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/07000110.pdf

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 172-3-14 / Link →

Acreage

7.4

Use (Present)

• Other: Mystic Seaport Research Center and storage

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

1. Rossie Velvet Mill Historic District, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (2007).
2. Stonington Historical Society.