HISTORIC NORTHAMPTON
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Northampton's silk industry was born in the mulberry tree craze of the 1830’s and died, at the age of 100, in the throes of the Great Depression. The official cause of death, labor unrest, was emblematic of the problems that had plagued the American silk industry from its start in the colonial era. For no amount of optimism and ingenuity could alter the fundamental fact that silkworms are finicky and silk production is difficulty, highly complex, and labor-intensive.After centuries of glory in Europe and Turkey, most of the world’s silk is once again produced in China, where the industry began 5,000 years ago. Yet silk continues to fascinate people everywhere, and there are signs of resurgence of cottage industries around the world.The history of the Northampton silk industry can be divided, more or less, into four eras:* During the initial period, 1832-1846, it was the embodiment of utopian aspirations (first those of Samuel Whitmarsh then of the Northampton Association for Education and Industry). During this period, silk was raised here from start to finish, from silkworms munching on mulberry leaves to ribbons and satin. Soujourner Truth was one of the many interesting people who belonged to the Association.
 1846-1876 saw the industry grow into a mainstay of the local economy and Northampton’s largest employer. Now raw silk was imported from China, and then processed into "machine twist" -- first successfully developed here by the local manufacturer Samuel Hill who anticipated the huge demand that would be created by the newly invented sewing machine. Sewing silk, embroidery thread, and other silk thread products were also produced and sold. Hill's company became one of the leading manufacturers of sewing silks in the world.* Between 1876 and 1912, the industry grew in size and sophistication. Working closely with suppliers of raw silk in Japan, the Nonotuck Silk Company (later renamed the Corticelli Company) became world famous. Gradually, the industry lost its local character: local industry opened branches elsewhere, and a branch of the Connecticut-based Belding Company was opened here. The history of our silk industry became part of a larger picture, the New England textile industry.
From 1912 to 1932, Northampton’s silk industry continued to be a major player on the local scene, but was increasingly buffeted by failures, buy-outs, and labor unrest. Eventually only Belding-Hemingway remained, and its closed its Northampton operations in 1930. The College Weavers bought Belding’s equipment in an attempt to keep silk going here, but it too soon folded.
he Northampton silk industry did not arise in a vacuum! Silk was cultivated and processed in many parts of the world, and Northampton's industry was part of a much larger picture. Click here to learn what else was happening in the world of silk when the Northampton industry took root, circa1840. Then, to test your understanding, take our Silk Trivia Quiz!
HISTORIC
​NORTHAMPTON
46 Bridge Street
Northampton
​Massachusetts 01060
[email protected]
​413-584-6011
Museum Hours

Historic Northampton is temporarily closed in May and June 2025. Next exhibit:
Slavery and Freedom in Northampton, 1654 to 1783.


For upcoming events and programs, see the  Events Calendar.
​

Hours and Directions
© COPYRIGHT 2015-2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About
    • About Historic Northampton
    • Hours and Directions
    • Volunteer
    • Board-Staff
    • Legal/Financial
  • Programs
    • Upcoming Programs
    • Past Events at Historic Northampton >
      • Past Programs 2025
      • Past Programs 2024
      • Mill River Flood 150 Commemoration >
        • Mill River Flood 150 Commemoration Events
        • Mill River Flood Introduction
        • Mill River Flood Lives Lost
        • Mill River Flood Commemoration Markers >
          • \\\\\\\\Williamsburg Mill River Flood Markers
          • Skinnerville Mill River Flood Markers
          • Haydenville Mill River Flood Markers
          • Leeds Mill River Markers
          • Florence Mill River Markers
          • Northampton Mill River Markers
        • Mill River Flood Who Was Responsible
        • Mill River Flood Guided Walks to the Dam Ruins
        • Mill River Flood Memorial Tree Project
      • Past Programs 2023
      • Past Programs 2022
      • Past Programs 2021
      • Past Programs 2020
      • Past Programs 2019
    • MCC Card to Culture at Historic Northampton
    • Help I am not receiving email announcements
  • Explore
    • Collections & Research
    • History at Home >
      • Videos
      • Interactive Witch Trial
      • Paper Dolls
      • Hidden Histories
      • Scavenger Hunts
      • Coloring Pages
      • Brain Teasers
      • Peg Doll Hunts
      • Jonathan Edwards Prayer Requests
    • Properties >
      • Parsons House
      • Damon House
      • Shepherd House
      • Shepherd Barn 2020
      • The Bridge Street School Sprouts
    • Educational Websites
    • Historic Highlights
    • COVID-19 Stories >
      • Vaccination Photos
      • Submit Your COVID Story
      • Children React
      • Family and Neighborhood Fun
      • It's a New World
      • Hope and Togetherness
      • Images
      • How Illness Feels
      • Brings Forth Memory
      • Blessings and the New Busy
      • Fear and Worry
  • Indigenous Native History
    • Native Histories in Nonotuck
    • Nonotuck Histories Essay by Margaret M. Bruchac
    • Recovering Nonotuck Histories Photo Essay
    • Profiles of Native People
    • Extended Biographies of Native People
    • Nonotuck to Northampton Maps
    • Native LIves Bibliography
  • History of Slavery
    • About the Slavery Research Project
    • Black Enslaved People
    • Free Black People
    • Native Enslaved People
    • Enslavers of People
    • Relationship Map >
      • Relationship Map Family Groups
      • Relationship Map Enslavement
      • Relationship Map Indenture
      • Relationship Map Legal
      • Relationship Map Commerce
      • Relationship Map Foster or Guardian
      • Relationship Map Social Connections
    • Timeline of Slavery in Northampton
  • DONATE
    • Donate to the Spring Appeal
    • WAYS TO GIVE >
      • Monthly Donation
      • IRA Giving
      • Stock Giving
    • Join the Email List
    • Donate to the Collection