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

Union Straw Works / Birth of the Straw Hat Industry

Union Straw Works Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bryan Simmons, May 31, 2012

1. Union Straw Works Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Union Straw Works
Members of the Carpenter family became engaged in various straw manufacturing operations. In 1843 they built the Great Bonnet Shop at 18-22 Wall Street and in 1845 the Hamlet House at 12-16 Wall St. Erastus P. Carpenter then proposed that many small manufacturing operations in town should be combined into one large company that could dominate the industry. In 1853 the Union Straw Works was erected on this site. It became the world's largest straw manufacturing operation offering employment to more than 6,000 men and women, including factory workers and those employed in a vast cottage industry, sewing and braiding straw at home. Ownership later passed to Wm. T. Cook & Co. and the Bemis Hat Co. The complex was destroyed by fire May 28,1900 and never rebuilt.

Birth of the Straw Hat Industry
The making of the first straw bonnet in America is traced to Betsey Metcalf of Providence, R.I. who in 1798 made herself a copy of an imported bonnet on display in a store window. while attending Day's Academy in Wrentham, Betsey shared her skills with her friends, including many from

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Foxborough. Mary Clark and Ann Leonard were the first in this town to learn braiding and in turn taught Eunice Everett, Sally Mann, Patty Carpenter and her cousin Polly. Eunice was the first person in Foxborough to make a straw bonnet. The success of the young ladies in making products of straw prompted many entrepreneurs to commence manufacturing and an industry was born, bringing unprecedented prosperity and a community identity as the straw hat capital of the world.

Erected 2003 by Foxborough Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1737.

Location. 42° 3.811′ N, 71° 14.851′ W. Marker is in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County. Marker is on Wall St., on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Foxboro MA 02035, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Memorial Hall (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Centre Burial Ground (about 600 feet away); The Reservoir on Powder House Hill / The Town House (about 700 feet away); Entering Baker Street Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); The Town Lot (approx. half a mile away); Lakeview (approx.

Birth of the Straw Hat Industry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, May 31, 2012

2. Birth of the Straw Hat Industry Marker

1.2 miles away); The Lodge at Foxborough (approx. 1.3 miles away); Foxborough State Hospital Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Foxborough.

Photographed By Bryan Simmons, May 31, 2012

3. Union Straw Works Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,267 times since then and 275 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 1, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. 2. submitted on June 4, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. 3. submitted on June 1, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.