Factory of H.B. Brown & Co., East Hampton, Conn.

Datebefore 1883

MediumPhotography; albumen print on paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 5 1/2 x 8in. (14 x 20.3cm)
Sheet (height x width): 5 1/2 x 8in. (14 x 20.3cm)
Mount (height x width): 8 x 10in. (20.3 x 25.4cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund

DescriptionMen and a small child stand in front of a three-story frame factory building with a cupola. Some men wear workclothes, including overalls. One man appears to wear an apron. All wear hats or caps. A young girl stands in the door of the factory. Two older girls stand in the opening on the second floor. A pulley hangs from a beam above the doors. A exterior staircase is at the right, a leanto addition is at the left. A sign reads: "H.B. BROWN / & CO. / NUT & BOLT MACHINERY." A board fence is in the foreground. A dirt road leads towards a frame house in the right background. Dense trees are beyond.

Object number2003.44.1

InscribedOn verso, in pencil, "Factory of / H.B. Brown & Co. / East Hampton Conn. / Totally destroyed by fire on the night of / Dec. 12 1883. Loss $20,000. Insured $7500. / Family barely escaped with their lives. / Nothing saved, except two Oil Paintings, which / by Mrs. Brown's heroism were brought out through / the thick smoke. Factory was of wood & / in good condition to burn. Fire caught / from Boiler room. Tried fighting could not / get it under control. So she went. By the time / the towns people arrived the whole building was wrapped / in flames." Accession number lower right.

Subject Terms

On View

Not on view