Our eponymous village grew up around our complex, which supported a saw mill, a grist mill, and an iron works before producing ivory combs and then a patented augur bit. As these industries came and went, buildings were expanded or added to support them. Centerbrook Architects became the property’s latest steward in 1975. After a catastrophic flood in 1982, we rebuilt to minimize future damage and to again harness water, this time with a turbine producing electricity that powers us still.

Flowing water is the common thread that ties us to our industrial past, and also points the way to a more sustainable future. A new fishway, which will allow migratory fish to traverse our dam for the first time, reminds us of the impacts of human activity on the natural world, and our ability to mitigate them.