Four mills and factories in Harrisville, Jaffrey and Swanzey, NH

Admission:
Adults: $20 in advance; $25 at door (Click here to buy online)
Children 8 to 18 years: $10 (Click here to buy online)
Students with ID: $10 (Click here to buy online)
Family maximum charge: $50 (Click here to buy online)

Limitations:
Children eight years and over are welcome.
Strollers are not permitted and no toddlers please.
Due to the nature of the factories, we regret that the tour is NOT handicapped accessible.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 603-924-3423

Have you ever wondered how ancient hand crafts have step-by-step been industrialized? Are you a “factory freak” who is enchanted by machines? Maybe you are someone who is fascinated by the computerization of those machines? A secret of the Monadnock Region is the presence of unique, innovative companies scattered throughout our towns.

A self-guided tour of four of these factories will take place on Saturday, September 26th, from 10 AM to 4 PM. This tour will benefit the Monadnock Music Summer Festival and its “Lend an Ear” program in 22 local elementary schools.

The Run of the Mills tour includes Graphicast in Jaffrey, Harrisville Spinning Mill in Harrisville, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors in Swanzey Center and Trikeenan Tile Works in West Swanzey.

Graphicast in Jaffrey is a precision metal parts design and casting company. Computers are used to design each piece, make plaster models and mill high precision graphite molds. After casting with a special alloy, the pieces are further machined by computer driven robotics. Graphicast produces parts for use in medical diagnostic equipment, printing, electronics, computers, food processing and even escalators. Customers include Pitney Bowes, Siemens and General Electric.

The Harrisville Spinning Mill is located near the picturesque National Historic Trust village of Harrisville. Starting with dyed in the wool fleeces, the picker opens up the wool, and at this stage two or more colors may be blended for a rich color palette. The wool is sent to the carding machine, where the fibers are combed to align for spinning. The spinning machines then transform the fibers into Harrisville Designs’ famous weaving and knitting wools. Also on display will be hand tools for these processes, so one can appreciate the industrialization of each step.

Trikeenan Tile Works in West Swanzey was founded 20 years ago by two Rhode Island School of Design graduates, Steven and Kristin Powers. Their vision is “..to make art, art that people live with everyday, art that challenges their perception of nature.” Though rolled and molded in an industrial process, many tiles are hand dipped or painted with glazes. The firing results in subtle color variations, giving the tiles a hand-made aesthetic. Molded forms, Arts and Crafts patterns, panels and glass-fused ceramic tiles are all exquisitely designed.

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, a local, family owned business in Swanzey Center, crafts or restores traditional wide plank flooring in a variety of native woods. The wood is sustainably resourced from small local sawmills and sawyers, and second and third generation foresters. While some planks are milled with modern machines, others are finished with planes and other hand tools for a “made by hand” feel and look. Antique wood is salvaged and reused for authentic flooring. Carlisle’s floors have been used in historic restorations and museums, as well as new homes or renovations.

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