John Russell Cutlery Works, Turners Falls, Mass.

From the collections of PVMA • Digital image © Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Assoc. • Image use information

About this item

John Russell made his fortune in the cotton industry, but saw new opportunities up north in the field of cutlery. In March of 1834, he established “Green River Works” in Greenfield, Massachusetts. In 1870, he moved his water-powered factory to Turners Falls, Massachusetts, and renamed it the “John Russell Cutlery Works.” It initially employed local craftsmen, but as business expanded and workers became scarcer, Russell brought in artisans from Germany, Ireland, Eastern Europe, and England. Having the railroad come right to the factory helped in distributing Russell’s cutlery throughout the United States.

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Details

Item typePostcard
PhotographerThe Rotograph Company
Date1900–1910
PlaceTurners Falls, Massachusetts
TopicIndustry, Occupation, Work
Food, Cooking, Beverage, Alcohol
Immigration
Eastern European
EraProgressive Era, World War I, 1900–1928
MaterialPaper
Process/FormatPrinting
Dimension detailsHeight: 3.50 in Width: 5.50 in
Catalog #1997.31.23
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The Rotograph Company, photographer. John Russell Cutlery Works, Turners Falls, Mass. Photograph. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/1997-31-23/. Accessed on October 7, 2024.

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