The American Woolen Mill, is a historic building located on Main Street in Vassalboro, Maine. Built around 1850, it expanded during key war years—1850, 1917, and 1943—and once held the title of the largest mill in New England. The mill was renowned for its award-winning cashmere and employed over 500 workers at the height of its production. It even housed a steam engine to power its equipment, with a similar model now displayed at the Owls Head Transportation Museum.

Although the mill ceased operations in 1955, displacing 400 employees, it continued to serve as a business incubator and community resource. Over the years, more than 15 companies, including the Ladd Paper Company, Kennebec Bean Company, Midstate Machine, and Duratherm Windows, began operations there. Some well-known businesses like Marden’s and John Julia also called the Olde Mill home before moving into their own facilities.

Today, now known as the Olde Mill, remains a beloved landmark and gathering place for the town. It hosts a variety of events such as weddings, birthday parties, flea markets, and craft fairs. Local resident Ray Breton expresses a deep affection for the mill, emphasizing its ongoing role in bringing people together and creating joyful memories. With its rich history and continued community significance, the Olde Mill stands as both a historical treasure and a vibrant social hub.

The Hathaway

1) The industrial history of the Hathaway site in Waterville, Maine, began in 1865 when George Alfred secured water and property rights on both sides of the Kennebec River at Ticonic Falls. This allowed for the construction of a dam, completed in 1869, which opened the potential for water-powered industry in the area. In 1873, Reuben Dunn, newly retired from the Maine Central Railroad, purchased control of the dam and recruited Amos D. Lockwood, a skilled engineer and cotton industry expert, to design a mill. By 1876, the first mill of the Lockwood Company opened with 33,000 spindles, followed by a second mill in 1882—now known as the Hathaway Center—which added another 55,000 spindles. The Lockwood Company became known for its high-quality bed linens and, at its peak, employed around 1,300 workers, mostly women. The mills operated until 1955, when they were shut down and the machinery was sold off.

The next chapter began in 1956 when the Hathaway Shirt Company took over the facility and converted it into executive offices and a shirt factory. Founded in 1853 by Charles F. Hathaway in Waterville, the company had gained international recognition for its stylish shirts and iconic “man with the eye patch” advertising campaign. The Hathaway brand flourished through much of the 20th century, but by 2002, under ownership by Warnaco, the facility closed its doors permanently, ending its role in textile manufacturing.

In 2006, the site was given new life by developer Paul Boghossian, who had ties to Waterville through Colby College. He purchased the Hathaway and other Lockwood mills and initiated a major redevelopment effort. The result was the creation of the Hathaway Creative Center—a mixed-use space that now includes offices, apartments, retail shops, recreational areas, and health services provided by tenants like MaineGeneral Hospital and HealthReach. This transformation marked the beginning of the mill’s third life, preserving its historic significance while contributing to Waterville’s modern revitalization.

2) The Hathaway site in Waterville, Maine, has a rich industrial history that began in 1865 when George Alfred secured water rights at Ticonic Falls, enabling the construction of a dam. In 1873, Reuben Dunn acquired the dam and partnered with engineer Amos D. Lockwood to build a cotton mill. By 1876, the Lockwood Company opened with 33,000 spindles, expanding in 1882 with what is now the Hathaway Center. The company produced high-quality bed linens and employed around 1,300 workers before ceasing operations in 1955.

In 1956, the Hathaway Shirt Company repurposed the mill into a shirt factory and executive offices. Known for its fine shirts and the iconic “man with the eye patch” campaign, Hathaway operated there until 2002, when the facility closed under new ownership by Warnaco.

The site entered its third life in 2006 when developer Paul Boghossian redeveloped it as the Hathaway Creative Center. Today, it serves as a vibrant mixed-use complex featuring offices, apartments, retail, and healthcare services, playing a key role in Waterville’s economic and cultural revitalization.

3) The Hathaway site in Waterville, Maine, has a deep industrial legacy dating back to 1865, when George Alfred secured water and property rights at Ticonic Falls, enabling dam construction on the Kennebec River. In 1873, Reuben Dunn, a retired railroad executive, acquired the dam and partnered with renowned engineer Amos D. Lockwood to develop a cotton mill. The first mill opened in 1876 with 33,000 spindles, and a second, larger mill—now the Hathaway Center—followed in 1882, adding 55,000 more spindles. At its peak, the Lockwood Company employed about 1,300 people, mostly women, and was nationally known for producing high-quality bed linens. Operations ceased in 1955, and the machinery was auctioned off.

In 1956, the mill was reborn as the home of the Hathaway Shirt Company, originally founded in 1853 by Charles F. Hathaway in Waterville. The company became internationally recognized for its craftsmanship and its iconic “man with the eye patch” advertising campaign, created by David Ogilvy, often referred to as the father of modern advertising. The facility was used for both manufacturing and executive operations until it closed in 2002 under the ownership of Warnaco.

The building entered a third phase in 2006 when Paul Boghossian, a Colby College affiliate, purchased the Hathaway and adjacent Lockwood mills. His vision led to the creation of the Hathaway Creative Center, a $30 million redevelopment that transformed the historic site into a vibrant mixed-use facility. Today, the center houses offices, apartments, retail spaces, art studios, and healthcare services, including tenants like MaineGeneral and HealthReach. The redevelopment not only preserved an important piece of Waterville's industrial heritage but also spurred economic and cultural renewal in the downtown area.

FINAL The Hathaway site in Waterville, Maine, has a rich industrial history that began in 1865 when George Alfred secured water and property rights at Ticonic Falls, enabling dam construction on the Kennebec River. In 1873, Reuben Dunn, a retired railroad executive, acquired the dam and brought in engineer Amos D. Lockwood to design a cotton mill. The first mill opened in 1876 with 33,000 spindles, followed by a second in 1882—now the Hathaway Center—which added 55,000 more. At its peak, the Lockwood Company employed around 1,300 workers, mostly women, and was nationally known for producing high-quality bed linens. The mills closed in 1955, and the equipment was sold.

In 1956, the facility was revived by the Hathaway Shirt Company, originally founded in 1853 in Waterville. The company gained international recognition for its craftsmanship and its iconic “man with the eye patch” ad campaign created by advertising legend David Ogilvy. The mill served as both a manufacturing site and executive office until closing in 2002 under Warnaco ownership.

The site’s third transformation began in 2006 when developer Paul Boghossian, a Colby College affiliate, purchased and redeveloped the property. The result was the Hathaway Creative Center, a $30 million project that turned the historic mill into a vibrant mixed-use space. Today, the center includes offices, apartments, retail shops, art studios, and healthcare services such as MaineGeneral and HealthReach, contributing to Waterville’s economic and cultural revitalization.

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FINAL- The Hathaway site in Waterville, Maine, has been a cornerstone of the city's industrial legacy since 1865, when George Alfred secured water and property rights at Ticonic Falls, enabling the construction of a dam on the Kennebec River. In 1873, Reuben Dunn, a retired railroad executive, acquired the dam and brought in engineer Amos D. Lockwood to design a cotton mill. The first mill opened in 1876 with 33,000 spindles, followed by a second in 1882—now the Hathaway Center—which added 55,000 more. At its height, the Lockwood Cotton Mill employed nearly 1,200 people, many of whom were French-Canadian immigrants from poor, rural farms in Quebec. Entire families often worked in the mill, including children as young as twelve, laboring in tough and dangerous conditions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, spinning, weaving, and maintaining the machinery., covered in cotton dust from the weaving process and grease from the machines. In 1911, child labor laws had raised the minimum working age. That same year, the mill processed 7 million pounds of cotton into 17 million yards of cloth and paid out $400,000 in wages. Most management was of English descent, while French-speaking workers filled lower-level jobs. Despite the harsh labor, the environment was considered relatively positive, partly because workers were allowed to speak French and often worked alongside family members. Despite reaching national recognition for its high-quality bed linens the mills ceased operations in 1955, and the equipment was subsequently sold off..

In 1956, the facility was revived by the C. F. Hathaway Company, a shirtmaker founded in Waterville in 1853. Known for high-quality shirts and the famous “man with the eye patch” advertising campaign by David Ogilvy, the company gained national prominence for producing shirts noted for their "high quality and splendid fit." In 1911 and up to the First World War, Hathaway shirts were only offered in white for dress wear or "black and colorless" for laborers, During World War I,. the company fulfilled contracts to make khaki shirts for the U.S. Army. Like Lockwood, Hathaway employed many French-Canadian immigrants but did not hire very young workers—due to the precision required in shirt-making and Charles Hathaway’s strong religious values, often described as “religious fanaticism.” He taught Sunday school to local French Protestant children and refrain from hiring young people for their own benefit. Still, factory life was rigid: new hires trained without pay for up to five weeks, had to buy their own needles, were charged for damaged shirts, and were discouraged from speaking French. The mill closed in 2002 under Warnaco ownership.

In 2006, developer Paul Boghossian, affiliated with Colby College, purchased and redeveloped the property as the Hathaway Creative Center. The $30 million project transformed the historic mill into a mixed-use complex that today houses apartments, offices, retail shops, art studios, and healthcare providers like MaineGeneral and HealthReach. The evolution of the Hathaway and Lockwood mills mirrors the broader story of New England’s industrial rise, immigrant labor, and the ongoing revitalization of historic urban centers.

The Hathaway site in Waterville, has a rich industrial history that began in 1865 when George Alfred secured water and property rights at Ticonic Falls, enabling dam construction on the Kennebec River. In 1873, Reuben Dunn, a retired railroad executive, acquired the dam and brought in engineer Amos D. Lockwood to design a cotton mill. The first mill opened in 1876 with 33,000 spindles, followed by a second in 1882—now the Hathaway Center—which added 55,000 more. At its peak, the Lockwood Company employed around 1,300 workers, mostly women, and was nationally known for producing high-quality bed linens. The mills closed in 1955, and the equipment was sold.

In 1956, the facility was revived by the F.C.Hathaway Shirt Company, originally founded in 1853 in Waterville. The company gained international recognition for its craftsmanship and its iconic “man with the eye patch” ad campaign created by advertising legend David Ogilvy. The mill served as both a manufacturing site and executive office until closing in 2002 under Warnaco ownership.

Word count: 600 words.