Canton in Norfolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Copper Rolling Mill

— Paul Revere Heritage Site —

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 15, 2026

1. Copper Rolling Mill Marker

Inscription. Copper Rolling Mill Paul Revere was the first person in the United States to successfully produce copper sheathing. Rolled copper was indispensable to the ship-building and military industries. Copper could protect wooden ship hulls from barnacles and burrowing shipworms and allow ships to maneuver better, avoiding costly repairs. Revere succeeded at rolling copper when other would-be manufacturers failed because only he had the metalworking experience needed to make sheets that combined strength and flexibility. His entrepreneurial spirit inspired him to lobby the U.S. Navy for a loan and then use it to buy and retrofit this property in Canton. The result was that within the first two years, copper sheets were manufactured for the first time on American soil, which allowed the country to build a proper navy. Copper sheathing produced here was used to cover the dome of the Massachusetts State House, protect the hull of the USS Constitution, and line the boilers of Robert Fulton's steamboats.

What skills are necessary to accomplish the kinds of things paul revere did so successfully as an entrepreneur, taking

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unusual business risks in innovative ways?

(image caption)
— The brick mill that stands today was built in 1850 by Joseph Warren Revere, Paul Revere's son. This is the second Rolling Mill on the property and was built as part of a major expansion of the plant prior to the Civil War. (Image courtesy of Canton Historical Society)

Erected 2025 by Town of Canton.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 42° 9.358′ N, 71° 8.995′ W. Marker is in Canton, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County. It is on Revolution Way east of Neponset Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Canton MA 02021, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 15, 2026

2. Copper Rolling Mill Marker

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: Made in Canton (a few steps from this marker); Draft Horse Barn (a few steps from this marker); A View Across Time (within shouting distance of this marker); From Brown Field to Green Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of U.S. Copper Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); The Canton Viaduct (within shouting distance of this marker); Immigrants, The Key to the Site’s Success (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul Revere Heritage Site (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Copper Mill Hall - Paul Revere Heritage Site.

Though the original Copper Rolling Mill was a one-story building, the renovated structure contains a second story above the Northern Spy Restaurant. This space, Copper Mill Hall, serves as a space for rotating exhibits, meetings & events, and educational
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 15, 2026

3. Copper Rolling Mill Building
Today the building houses The Northern Spy restaurant and Copper Mill Hall, which hosts rotating exhibits and events.
programs.

(Submitted on August 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

2. Joseph Warren Revere - Paul Revere Heritage Site.

Joseph Warren’s father was instrumental in transitioning product creation from craftsmen to factory. It was his son who would complete the transition. Joseph Warren expanded the business and by 1828 employed 20 men. In 1845, 38 men were employed in the Canton ‘manufactury’, and in an expansive period from 1845-1855, Joseph Warren built the site’s Historic Barn and Copper Rolling Mill.

(Submitted on August 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

3. The Paul Revere House.

On the night of April 18, 1775, silversmith Paul Revere left his small wooden home in Boston’s North End and set out on a journey that ultimately made him a legend. Today that home is still standing at 19 North Square and has become a national historic landmark. It is downtown Boston’s oldest building and one of the few remaining 17th-century dwellings in a large urban area in the United States.

(Submitted on August 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

4. USS Constitution - National Park Service.

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USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the United States Navy. Naval officers and crew still serve aboard the ship today and visitors can hear the ship's cannon fire daily at 8am and sunset. The USS Constitution is operated by the United States Navy, a partner to the National Parks of Boston. Across the pier from Constitution in Building 22 is the USS Constitution Museum. The Museum serves as the memory and educational voice of USS Constitution and provides engaging and hands-on experiences for all visitors.

(Submitted on August 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

5. State House Tours - Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts State House, designed by Charles Bulfinch, the leading architect of his time, is a grand repository of history as well as an architectural treasure. With a cornerstone laid by Samuel Adams in 1795, and a dome coppered by Paul Revere in 1802, its marble-floored corridors and spacious ceremonial rooms are filled with works of art depicting our state’s unique heritage. We welcome you to visit the State House online or in person.

(Submitted on August 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

6. The Copper Rolling Mill - Paul Revere Heritage Site.

Within the Paul Revere Heritage Site park stands the Copper Rolling Mill, the largest remaining structure of the original Revere Copper Company. The building, a victim of decades of neglect, was preserved through adaptive reuse in a process that took four years to complete.

(Submitted on August 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.