Florence in Hampshire County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 23, 2013

1. Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Marker

Inscription. The major industries established in Florence during the 19th century were founded by reform-minded individuals who championed progressive causes throughout their lives. Their success in business was matched by their generosity in giving. Many of the civic institutions of present day Florence are the result of their philanthropy. Samuel L. Hill, founder of the Nonotuck Silk Company, was among the radical abolitionists who formed a Utopian community in Florence in the 1840s. He continued to be an active reformer in retirement and a champion of the theories of Friedrich Froebel, with their emphasis on early childhood education. In 1876, he established the Hill Institute, one of the first kindergartens in the country with an endowment to provide free instruction to every child in the community

Alfred T. Lilly was brought in by Hill to become the Treasurer of the Nonotuck Silk Company and made a fortune of this own. In 1888, he built the Lilly Library for the town of Florence. A few years before he had given the money to build the Lilly Hall of Science at Smith College which was dedicated in 1886. It was Lilly who provided the endowment for evening classes and adult education at the Hill Institute.

The spirit of the abolitionist utopian community lived on in the Free Congregational Society of Florence. Organized in 1866 by Samuel Hill and 34 others, it was a freethinking religious body far outside the orthodox beliefs of mainstream denominations. Its first resident speaker was Charles C. Burleigh followed by Elizabeth Powell who later became Dean of Swarthmore College. The growth of the Society prompted Hill to finance the construction of Cosmian Hall in 1874. Its ample auditorium filled to hear speakers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglass and Julia Ward Howe. It was demolished

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in 1948.

Erected by Historic Northampton.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Communal and Utopian Societies, and the Elizabeth Cady Stanton series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 42° 20.117′ N, 72° 40.4′ W. Marker is in Florence, Massachusetts, in Hampshire County. It is at the intersection of Park Street and Meadow Street on Park Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence MA 01062, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Knowledge Corridor,

in Pioneer Valley,

and in Greater Springfield.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Florence Manufacturing (here,

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 23, 2013

2. Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Marker

Wide photo of the marker

next to this marker); The Anti-Slavery Community (here, next to this marker); The Florence Eagles (here, next to this marker); Mill River Flood (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Basil C. Dorsey (about 500 feet away); After the demise of the Northampton Association (approx. ¼ mile away); Sojourner Truth (approx. ¼ mile away); Northampton Association of Education and Industry (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 23, 2013

3. Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Marker

Four markers on one stand

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 23, 2013

4. Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Marker

Cosmian Hall 1873-Demolished in 1948

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 23, 2013

5. Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Marker

Wide shot of the bell with the city of Florence sign

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,084 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on March 17, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 8, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.