Central Vermont RR built 1849 - Woodburning Engine - Willimantic Thread Mill No. 2
PainterPainted by
Louis Grosvernor Frink
American, 1869 - 1956
DateJuly 1937
MediumDrawing; pencil, watercolor, and gouache on brown paper on cardboard
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 15 3/4 x 20in. (40 x 50.8cm)
Sheet (height x width): 15 3/4 x 20in. (40 x 50.8cm)
Mount (height x width): 15 3/4 x 20in. (40 x 50.8cm)
Sheet (height x width): 15 3/4 x 20in. (40 x 50.8cm)
Mount (height x width): 15 3/4 x 20in. (40 x 50.8cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineN.C. Brainard Acquisition Fund and Seymour Museum Fund Income
DescriptionThe drawing depicts a bird's eye view of the Central Vermont wood-burning steam engine with smoke traveling along the railroad. To its right is a large structure with its rising red steam tower set just beyond the large running dam.
Object number1973.25.5
MarkingsOn verso, stamped in black ink, "American Primitives / by Lou Frink / Windham, Conn. No. 5"InscribedOn verso, upper center, in pen, "Central Vermont RR built 1849 / Windham July [cut] wood burning engine / Willimantic thread mill no.2"Lower right, in pencil, accession number
[The notes written in pen on verso are in Lou’s handwriting; the pencil notes are not.]NotesThe drawing depicts the Central Vermont wood-burning steam engines traveling along the Central Vermont Railroad, which once connected communities across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and even into Quebec.
The large structure is recognized as the American Thread Plant in Willimantic. The American Thread Company, which was founde in 1898, was significant in Willimantic's textil industry. Indeed, it became a major player in the textile market, employing thousands of workers and producing a wide range of cotton thread. However, the company eventually faced challenges, leading to its closure of its Willimantic mills in 1985.
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