Last updated: 2/14/2012
Arlington, Massachusetts
Street Address
17 Mill Lane at 29 Lowell St.Arlington, MA 02476
Mailing Address
17 Mill LaneArlington, MA 02476
phone: 781-643-0554
web: www.oldschwambmill.org/main.html

Hours

Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please call ahead at 781-643-0554.

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Description

Visitors interested in industrial history, woodworking, mechanics -- or simply the ambiance of an ancient, working manufactory in its original historic setting -- are cordially welcomed to the Mill.

Today The Old Schwamb Mill continues to produce museum quality hand turned wooden oval and circular frames. See an interesting variety of frames and profile styles that have been produced since the Schwambs first began operations here in 1864. See the production of a frame and hear what the woodworker, who makes the frames, has to say about his work. Learn how the lathes work.

The three Mill buildings (Mill, Dryhouse, and Barn), including the woodworking shop floor in the Mill are open for tours.

History

In a hollow on the Mill Brook in Arlington, Massachusetts, a woodworker today is making exquisite hand-turned oval frames on 19th century lathes in a wooden mill building dating from the time of the Civil War. The historic Old Schwamb Mill site itself survives as a continuously operating site where, for more than three hundred years, immigrant Puritan, Yankee, and German entrepreneurs harnessed the free water power of a narrow, fast moving brook to run machines and develop a series of family-owned businesses. The Mill's story is as compelling as the beauty of the frames produced here for the most recent 137 years.

Research Collections

Discover the history of The Old Schwamb Mill. Learn about the beginnings of the community along the brook and how Charles Schwamb purchased the Woodbridge Spice Mill and converted it for woodworking purposes, building a successful family-owned business here that continued for 105 years. Learn how the Mill has survived since 1969, operated as a mill-museum by an all-volunteer nonprofit charitable educational trust. Browse through a series of articles published about the Mill.

Educational Programs

Today The Old Schwamb Mill continues to produce museum quality hand turned wooden oval and circular frames. See an interesting variety of frames and profile styles that have been produced since the Schwambs first began operations here in 1864. See the production of a frame and hear what the woodworker, who makes the frames, has to say about his work.
Take a virtual walk through the Mill or around the surrounding grounds. Come watch a frame being made or just watch and listen to the brook running past the Mill.
Custom Oval Frames:
All oval frames are made to meet customer specifications. Please call us at 781-643-0554 to discuss your specific requirements.
Governance

Schwamb Mill Preservation Trst

Publications

The Old Schwamb Mill does not publish a catalog.
Services
Gift Shop
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Ohio Museums Association 2024 Conference with AMM

July 24 - August 3, 2024

Columbus, Ohio

South Carolina Federation of Museums 2024 Conference

September 16 - 18, 2024

Laurens, South Carolina

Florida Association of Museums 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition

October 13 - 16, 2024

Daytona Beach, Florida

RECENT UPDATES

Museums

04/22 The Muir Experience Museum

Stockton, California

Museum Vendors

10/30 Museum Fabrication Group, LLC

Denton, Texas

03/07 ConservArt Inc.

Boca Raton, Florida

Museum Associations

03/07 Florida Association of Museums

Tallahassee, Florida

03/07 Association of Midwest Museums

Saint Louis, Missouri

03/07 Association of Children's Museums

Arlington, Virginia

03/07 Ohio Museums Association

Columbus, Ohio