Albert B Wells Residence Main Street Southbridge Massachusetts
description- – The home of Albert Bacheller (A.B.)Wells (1872-1953),and Ethel Burnham (1876-1949), at 176 Main Street, Southbridge, Massachusetts. The house was designed by renowned architect Daniel H. Burnham, of Evanston, Illinois whose daughter Ethel, married A.B. Wells, in 1900. Local builder H.U. Bail constructed the house for the sum of $12,600. The home was"situated a short distance from George's home [George W. Wells] - after the removal of the Edwards house. George solved the rest of the dilemma by giving them the money with which to build...I remember we had a tremendous job of foundations to build; the foundations on the west side of that house were twenty seven feet deep."Additions were made to this property to accommodate A.B.'s growing interest in antiques that he called"oddities"or"primitives". According to 'The Wells Family and the Early Years of Old Sturbridge Village' by David M. Simmons:"By 1927, an ell was added containing a 'great room' built of barn timbers and sheathed with weathered boards. This space held a special significance for A.B., who used it as a place to entertain friends and gather the family. Another wing was added in 1930. Later, A.B. took the two bowling alleys he and his brothers had built...to make bays for different kinds of antiques."
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – American Optical Corporation--Southbridge (Mass.)
- – Architecture--United States--20th century
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Company
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--Pictorial works
- – Historic buildings--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Central business districts--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – pre-1903
- – Is part of the photographic collection of the Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org
- – image/jpg
- – Image from page 50 of the A. H. Pease album #2
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02' W
American Optical Company edifices: melding of old and new
description- – The view shows the integration of the earliest building of the American Optical Company on Mechanic Street with the start of the brick structures (on the left) that would eventually form the Main Plant. The wooden structure has a mansard roof. In the middle there is an area that slightlyprotrudes that has two stairs leading to a covered stoop. On the roof line there are two cupolas. Shows two towers in the brick building ofthe Main Plant. A large brick chimney stack towers over the scene in the background. A picket fence links around the front of the woodenedifice. As the deciduous trees are denuded of leaves it indicates this is a winter scene. In the extreme left there are someunidentified receding figures heading towards the triple decker housing, traditional mill style accommodation in New England, located to the west. There is a water hydrant in the foreground.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Architecture--United States--19th century
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – 1900-1910
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company clock tower and edifices on the right
description- – With the Common in the foreground, a close view of the buildings from the Clock Tower to the right side is shown. This comprises part of the Main Plant, as it was known. Brick is the main building material for the facade with a stone foundation. A glimpse of the famed formal entrance to the world headquarters of the American Optical Company is afforded. There are two crenels interspersing the long terraced facade. A winter scene where the trees are bare, allowing for a virtually unobscured view of the grandeur of the edifice.The foreground shows the ground has been turned over and deep tracks are in evidence in the earth.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – pre-1937
- – Is part of a photographic collection on the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company women at the main entrance, Main Plant, Southbridge
description- – A group of twenty threewomen, in winter attire, posing in front of the formal entrance to the American Optical Company, on Mechanic Street, Southbridge - thecompany headquarters. Women are wearing elegant hats and fur muffs as protection from the weather. The bronze door is on view, nestled between the structural columns of the entrance. The granite steps are somewhat concealed by the group as they are standing in tier-fashion. The American Optical Company name is emblazoned over the doorway.
- – Women--History
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Women--Employees
- – Historic Buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – Historic buildings--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – pre-1923
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
Main Street, Town Of Southbridge, Massachusetts
description- – Tree-lined Main Street is shown leading to the American Optical Company campus in the distance. The Universalist Churchspire and the Elm Street Congregationalist Church spire are depicted here - both razed in the 1938 hurricane. The Y.M.C.A. building at the cornerof Main and Elm streets has subsequently been razed also. Additionally the top floor of the Whitford building in the center of the image, waslost to a fire in the early 1970s.
- – Historic Buildings--New England
- – American Optical Corporation--Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Optical Industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – American Optical Company
- – Southbridge (Mass.Town)--aerial view
- – pre-1916
- – Is part of a photographic collection on the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
Aerial view of town of Southbridge, MA and the American Optical Company from Notre Dame Church during construction
description- – Aerial view from Notre Dame Church, Main Street, Southbridge, Massachusetts during construction (pre-1916), looking in a south south east direction. The Main Plant of the American Optical Company is to the left background and the Lensdale Plant to the right with the large chimney stack, near the Power Plant (1910). A glimpse at the Quinebaug River is possible to the right of the Lensdale Plant. In the leftforeground the New York New Hampshire and Hartford RailroadStation house, LaRochelle Way, is visible.
- – Architecture--United States--19th century
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – American Optical Corporation--Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--Aerial view
- – Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Optical Industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – American Optical Company
- – pre-1916
- – Tucci Collection
- – Tucci Collection, part of the archive at Jacob Edwards Library, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company campus and the construction of the cement building (#50)
description- – Aerial view of the American Optical campus and the town of Southbridge in the background giving a context to the size of the plant. The view is dominated by the construction process that is underway on the 'cement building', Lens Finishing, that is located across the Quinebaug River from the main plant. In its day,this was one of the first buildings constructed from concrete, in 1910, placing Southbridge on the cutting edge of technology in the construction field.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – pre-1910
- – Is part of a photographic collection on the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company wooden structure
description- – East view of the wooden structure on Mechanic Street, enclosed by a wooden picket fence. The mansard roof with dormer windows and cupola are in evidence. There is a brick chimney stack in the rear. The deciduous trees somewhat obscure the view as they are laden with leaves.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Architecture--United States--19th century
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – Historic buildings--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – pre-1900
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company looking south with Southbridge in the distance
description- – Looking south, at the American Optical campus from the rear, surrounded by the town of Southbridge. The Quinebaug River,with a foot bridge, crosses through the campus adjacent to the buildings. A mound of dirt and some evidence of construction are on view to the right side. The campus area, in the foreground, has a sense of vastness created by the trees, scrub growth and saplings. An interesting view of the church steeples is afforded.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – pre-1937
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company rear view of the Main Plant with adjacent wooden structure
description- – Rear view, (facing south) of the Main Plant and Clock Tower. Terraced brick facade is not yet complete as there is a wooden structure at the left, perpendicular to the Main Plant. Large brick chimney stack to the right of the Clock Tower. Evidence of construction is apparent as there is a mound of earth and debris on the left foreground. Starting on April 20th, 2000 the buildings at the rear of the Main Plant were razed, and only the façade remained. The project took two years to re-build and the result was the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center which has integrated the older façade with the new.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – Historic buildings--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – pre-1937
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company Southbridge spectacles view
description- – Artist's view in the shape of a pair of spectacles or lenses. The left shows the full Main Plant with the Clock Tower in the middle of a terraced brick façade, in the front. There are four crenels interspersing the window-line. The perpendicular buildings in the rear are also visible. The brick chimney stack is located to the left or north west of the clock tower. Mechanic Street with four vehicles bisects the foreground. The second lens contains an artist'sview of the Main Plant in the background and the town of Southbridge. In the foreground is the Lensdale plant, located off East Main Street. An insert of the original AO building, located at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets, is set under the lenses.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – Historic buildings--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – 1904
- – "On loan 4/97. Property of W. Horsley, Dudley, MA 01571."Note superceded by a written note addressed to Ms. M. Morrissey, dated 6/24/04 from Jeannie Horsley, PO Box 546, Dudley, MA 01571, indicating the"aerial view"is a gift to the Jacob Edwards Library. Ms Horsley is the daughter of A. L. Simonds, and daughter-in-law of W. W.Horsley, Treasure of Southbridge Savings Bank [1936-1970] Is part of the American Optical Company Archives at the Jacob Edwards Library,Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company: alley detail (south view)
description- – Elongated southerly view of the rows of buildings perpendicular to the Main Plant. These buildings were razed in 2000 - except for the façade of the Main Plant - to facilitate the construction of the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center. A creeper is growing on the lowerparts of the buildings. The view provides an insight into the sheer size of the buildings - on the left side the building is four floorshigh and the building on the right is five stories high. The clock tower with its tall spire is pointing majestically in the background.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – Historic buildings--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – pre-1937
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company main entrance, Mechanic Street, Southbridge
description- – The formal entrance to the American Optical Company headquarters, in Southbridge, Massachusetts. A detailed view of the craftsmanship used to construct a magnificent keystone fanlight and supporting columnar structure. The granite steps leading to the doorway are shown. Beyond lies the bronze doorway with the marble vestibule and grand staircase.According to the Southbridge Evening News, April 27, 1960:"The name 'American Optical Co.' dates back to a meeting on Feb. 26, 1869, of members of two neighboring Southbridge firms, Robert H. Cole&Co. and H.C. Ammidown&Co. They met to combine into one firm and chose the title American Optical Co. because it was broad in scope.The company's objective was stated as"to manufacture and sell spectacles and eyeglasses of gold, silver, steel and plated metals, also rings and thimbles, and such other like articles as said company may from time to time desire to make."The firm was formally incorporated March 6, 1869, with R. H Cole as president; G. W. Wells, clerk; E. M. Cole and A. M. Cheney, directors. The capital stock, of 400 shares, totalled $40,000. Robert H. Cole had 150 shares; E. Merritt Cole, 80 shares; Alpha M. Cheney, 50 shares; Hiram C. Wells, 50 shares; George W. Wells 40 shares; and Charles E. Edmonds, 30 shares.They agreed to purchase from R. H. Cole for $1,900, real estate occupied by R. H. Cole&Co. on the south side of Main street, and to buy from the company; all machinery, tools and stock for a maximum of $12,800. Also, the spectacle shop of H. C. Ammidown for $3,700 and the firm's stock and tools for $4,700. On Jan. 31, 1870. Hiram C. Wells and Charles S. Edmonds were added to the directors. On Feb. 24, 1870, 20 shares of stock were transferred from R. H. Cole to George M. Wells.The capital stock was increased to $60,000 on March 7, 1871."
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – American Optical Corporation--Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Company
- – pre-1923
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company Firemen in front of the main entrance on Mechanic Street, Southbridge
description- – The American Optical Company Fire Fighters in dress uniform posing in front of a wide-angle view of the formal entrance in the Main Plant of the company headquarters in Southbridge, Massachusetts. A close view of the stone and brick facade is provided, showing a magnificant keystone arch or fanlight. The trees and electricity pole frame the view. The fire fighters are posing with two wheels that has the fire hose wrapped around it. Tram tracks sitting on a dirt base are visible in the forground.
- – Firefighters--Massachusetts--Southbridge--American Optical Company
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02'
American Optical Company in 1921 campus map: dates indicate the year of erection or remodeling the several buildings into their present construction
description- – A map of the American Optical Company campus, dated Nov. 23, 1921. The (as yet incomplete) section of the Main Plant on Mechanic Street, Southbridge, Massachusetts is shown, the terraced section was completed in 1937. The dominance and importance of the Quinebaug River is in evidence as it's meandering path is charted leading into the Lensdale Pond.The development of the Lensdale Plant is sketched out with the bridges plotted. In the foreground, two rail road lines are shown running parallel to the East Main Street artery. Lens Street is plotted on the map but this street has since been removed to facilitate the construction of the Southbridge Police Department in its place, on the Common.
- – American Optical Company--Southbridge (Mass.)--Maps
- – American Optical Corporation
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--Maps
- – American Optical Company
- – 1921-11-23
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02' W
American Optical Company: first AO lens factory 1883
description- – Artist's drawing of the new four story Lens Building,including a mansard roof and a stoop. Promotional material generated by the AO Company using the 1883 lens building as the focus. Noted on the back of the original is"First AO Lens Factory 1883"
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – Historic buildings--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – 1883
- – Noted on the back of the original is"First AO Lens Factory 1883"
- – Is part of a photographic collection of the American Optical Company at Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02' W
- – English
Moulding Room Workers American Optical Southbridge
description- – Thirty one workers depicted standing in front of the Moulding Room at American Optical Corporation, Southbridge, Massachusetts. Many of the men wear hats and some wear ties and jackets. Shows a vine clad brick building with three large window openings. According to the American Optical Company 1921 map, the building was built in 1905, located in the Lensdale section of the plant.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – American Optical Company--Southbridge (Mass.)
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--Pictorial works
- – Historic buildings--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – 1917
- – Is part of the photographic collection of the Jacob Edwards Library, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org.
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02' W
Triple Decker American Optical Housing Windsor Court Southbridge Massachusetts
description- – One (of three) triple deckers or three-story rental housing on Windsor Court, off North Street in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Each rental property owned by American Optical Company was cataloged by a card documenting the detail of each rental unit within the property, with a photograph as well. The view depicts tenement number 143, 144 and 145. Each unit had five rooms, including a bath and toilet using town supplied water. Steam was used to heat the building and the was electricity in the building. All floors were constructed of hardwood. There was no garage. Rent was $6 per week, in 1920s. Wellsworth Life, the company newspaper in its May 8th, 1920 issue announced"Windsor Court"to be Name of North Street Homes - Harriet Smith of the Medical Department Contributes Prize Winning Name. The article states"Windsor Court is now the name of the Wellsworth houses at North Street so"The North Street Site"is now a thing of the past. Miss Harriet Smith, our visiting nurse, received a letter from President C.M. Wells yesterday informing her of her success in the contest and congratulating her on her choice. Windsor is a name familiar to all of us here at the plant as the Windsor spectacle is one of the most widely manufactured and perhaps the most popular spectacle frame that bears the name of Wellsworth. And the name of the"Most Beautiful Spectacle in America"is certainly a most appropriate name for our new Wellsworth homes."
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – Social life and customs--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – American Optical Company--History
- – American Optical Company
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--Pictorial works
- – Rental housing--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – pre-1930
- – Is part of the photographic collection of the Jacob Edwards Library, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org
- – image/jpg
- – 42 degrees 04' N72 degrees 02' W
American Optical Case Plant, Lensdale, Southbridge, Massachusetts
description- – A winter view of the industrial brick buildings of the American Optical Company's Case Plant, is presented. The trees lining the roadway between the railroad track and the plant are without leaves. The world-renowned optical company was first started by William Beecher in a building that stood at the corner of Central and Main streets. Mr. Beecher was a jeweler by trade and started making eyeglasses frames as part of his business. The company experienced some changes until in 1869, when it became the American Optical Company. Robert H. Cole was President, the Superintendent was H. C. Cady and the Treasurer was George Washington Wells.The American Optical moved to a premises on Chestnut Street for some time before finally locating on the banks of the Quinebaug River on Mechanic Street.
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--Buildings
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Architecture--United States--19th century
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – Southbridge
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – pre-1903
- – Is part of the photographic collection of the Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org
- – image/jpg
- – Image from page 12 of the A.H. Pease album #2
- – 42 degrees 04' N 72 degrees 02' W
American Optical Company Lensdale Plant, Southbridge, Massachusetts
description- – Partial view of the American Optical plant is shown, where lenses are manufactured for the eye glass industry. Known as the Lensdale plant, it is located off East Main Street. Some large manufacturing structures are shown, with A-style structures on the roofs. A large brick smoke stack is in the background. A corner of the triple decker tenement, unique to New England, that housed factory workers, is located to the left of the image, somewhat concealed by a tree. The railroad track is in the foreground. Electricity poles are dotted throughout the image. A young child is leaning over a railing of the American Optical Company.
- – Optical industry--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – Architecture--United States--19th century
- – Historic buildings--New England
- – American Optical Company--Southbridge (Mass.)
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--History
- – American Optical Corporation
- – American Optical Company
- – Southbridge (Mass.)--Pictorial works
- – Historic buildings--Massachusetts--Southbridge
- – 1903-06-06
- – Is part of the photographic collection of the Jacob Edwards Library Archives, Southbridge, Massachusetts. http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org
- – image/jpg
- – Image from page 13 of the A.H. Pease album #2
- – 42 degrees 04' N72 degrees 02' W
0-20 of 21 | next
![[x]](/static/imgs/cross.gif)