Thomas Wilson Lace Mill

Thomas Wilson Lace Mill

An aerial view of the Thomas Wilson Lace Mill. The mill, started in 1839, was recognized as the country's oldest lace house in the 1950’s. It manufactured lingerie, evening dresses and surgical stockings. The mill was also responsible for the surgical leotards worn by the first astronauts to land on the moon. They were designed to minimize vascular problems upon reentry. The company also built 30 homes adjacent to the mill to house workers, called Westport. Note the sawtooth roof portion of the building which was the Loper Brothers factory that made several important and innovative automobiles in the first quarter of the 20th century.

c1950s

Photograph courtesy of the Kenneth Brady Collection

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