Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Sterling Name Tape Company 1927-Present

Use (Historic)

• Consumer Products, Small Appliances
• Paper & Wood Products
• Other: Printing

Largest Documented Workforce

Unknown.

Historic Narrative

NOTE: DETERMINED ELIGIBLE FOR NR LISTING AS PART OF SMALL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT (w/ 10 Bridge St, 35 Willow St and possibly 119 Willow St) IN 2023 BY SHPO. In 1901, twenty-year old Howard Deming started a letterpress operation on Main Street, Winsted and called it Sterling Press. He offered relief-printed announcements, invitations, calling cards and business brochures. According to Deming’s great-grandson, Patrick Barrett (owner of Lucky Duck Press which operates out of the Winsted facility using the firm’s letterpress equipment), Deming began working on a wash-proof ink and a line of cotton nametapes that could be personalized and sewn into clothing after his wife complained of ink staining on her newly laundered dress in 1907. His new product was bought by hospitals and boarding schools, and business grew. In 1927, Deming changed the name of the company to the Sterling Name Tape Company and purchased the building in which the company currently operates along the Mad River. He expanded his product line to include labels made of a variety of materials. He also produced customizable business related novelties, including scissors, pens, watches, I.D. badges among other items. Sterling Name Tape Co. was incorporated in 1961, and Deming died in 1963. His grandson Jim Barrett took over the business in the 1980s, and continues to operate in the Willow Street building. Summer camps and schools are now the main clientele for iron-on name tapes, personalized self-inking clothing stampers and name stickers. Prior to Sterling Name Tape Co., the building was used as a storage warehouse, located across the street from the passenger station of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad and the Central New England Railroad lines. Note: 3/2023 SHPO determined complex to be eligible for listing as part of a small historic industrial district (10 Bridge St incl'g rear; 9 Willow, 35 Willow and possible 119 Willow).

Number of Existing Buildings

One (1) block.

Dates of Construction

c.1905

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The three-story brick building with flat roof was constructed between 1904 and 1909, adjacent to the passenger rail station at the time to the south across Willow Street; it has four exposed stories on the rear or Mad River side. The foundation is cut stone. The front elevation is punctuated by eight bays of window openings with stone sills and flat-arch brick lintels and four door entries, with brick corbelling along the roofline and decorative brick brackets at either end and center of facade.

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Flat

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

Good, Fair, Deteriorated

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

One 0.11 acre parcel at the northeast corner of Bridge and Willow Streets

Adjacent To

• Business District
• Main Roads
• Railroad

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 110/ 055/ 021 / Link →

Acreage

0.11

Use (Present)

• Industrial
• Other: 3/2023 SHPO determined complex to be eligible for listing as part of a small historic industrial district (10 Bridge St incl'g rear; 9 Willow, 35 Willow and possible 119 Willow).

Form Completed By

Mike Forino

Date

n/a

Bibliography

1. The Hartford Courant, 1963-2014.
2. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1909-1947.
3. Lucky Duck Press website.