The Stanley Works: The Community of Factory Life in New ÃÛÌÒß¹
Factory life in the 20th century is known best for its poor working conditions, casualties, long hours, and dispensable treatment of workers….
New ÃÛÌÒß¹ for Sound Money
This silk ribbon, part of the ÃÛÌÒ߹’s civil and political history collection, helps tell the story of a series of divisive presidential elections from over a century ago...
National Spring Bed Co. Burns… Again!
As many of you know, there was a massive fire Tuesday night on the corner of Columbus and High Street. Popularly known as the Polar Building today, and remembered variously as the location of Superior Ball Bearing, Connecticut Photo Engraving Company, and more...
The Patent King of the United States
Justus A. Traut was a prominent inventor and contractor at the Stanley Rule & Level Company. His extensive collection of patents earned him the title “The Patent King of the United States†or the “King of Inventorsâ€...
Connecticut Coming to Stanley’s Defense
The Stanley Works has been a New ÃÛÌÒß¹ institution since its founding. While it expanded and established plants outside of the city, its headquarters remained rooted in New ÃÛÌÒß¹, contributing to the city’s nickname of the “Hardware City.â€...
More Than One Hundred Years of Beer!
It started in 1903, when the John Zunner Health Beer Company (also known as the Consumers Brewery) and was founded by John Zunner of Hartford. The brewery, erected on Belden Street, was only in operation for fourteen months, during which time lager, ale and porter were all brewed...
On this day 138 years ago…
…Charles K. Hamilton was born!
Charles Keeney Hamilton (May 30, 1885 – January 22, 1914) was an American pioneer aviator and daredevil. Born in New ÃÛÌÒß¹, he grew up on Seymour St. and was a “noted scamp†during his school days...
The Patent: from Classical Antiquity to Modern Industry
When we think of invention, often we picture the invention process– coming up with an idea, creating a prototype for that idea, patenting the invention, and then going to production.
A patent, or a government grant to an inventor of the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling aninvention...
New ÃÛÌÒ߹’s Notable Women: Martha Parsons, Businesswoman
Born December 6, 1869 in Enfield, Connecticut, Martha A. Parsons was a trailblazer for women in business, making herself absolutely indispensable in her work.
She attended Enfield High School, then stenography training and took a job at the Morgan Envelope Co. in Springfield...
On This Day in 1813…
George M. Landers was born!
Happy birthday to George Marcellus Landers: born on this day in 1813 to Marcellus and Marietta Hoyt Landers, George was a politician, businessman, and a profoundly influential figure in the city of New ÃÛÌÒß¹...
New ÃÛÌÒ߹’s Notable Women: Lena Candee Bassette, Suffragette and Political Leader
Best known for her work as a suffragette and local political leader, Lena Candee Bassette (1872-1957) was born in Oran, New York on June 18, 1872. She was one of five children of Ralph Candee and Anne Sarah Housley, and from the age of eleven was raised in Houston, Texas by her aunt and uncle...
New ÃÛÌÒ߹’s Notable Women: Connie Wilson Collins, Civic Leader
Connie Wilson Collins (1928-2013) is considered one of New ÃÛÌÒ߹’s greatest civic leaders and labor activists. Born in New York and raised in New ÃÛÌÒß¹, she began her career in 1951 at Landers, Frary, & Clark and quickly became active in the plant’s union, United Electrical Workers of America Local 207. Later, she rose to the position of Union President...
Volunteer Spotlight: Allen Nelson
Allen Nelson, 93, is our youngest-at-heart volunteer! A second-generation resident of New ÃÛÌÒß¹, Al is a World War II U.S. Navy veteran. He enlisted on July 9, 1945, and after boot camp served on the USS Mansfield DD-728 from 1946 to 1949, achieving the rank of Gunner’s Mate...
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918: Spanish Flu in New ÃÛÌÒß¹
As we enter into the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the words ‘unprecedented times’ ringing in our ears, it’s easy to feel as though we’ve never gone through anything like this before. However, just over one hundred years ago, we did: the influenza pandemic of 1918, or the Spanish Flu pandemic swept across the globe, leaving devastation in its wake...
Lest We Forget: Remembering New ÃÛÌÒ߹’s Servicemen and Women
New ÃÛÌÒß¹'s manufacturing community contributed much more to America's armed conflicts than just equipment and uniforms made here in our factories: thousands of men and women from New ÃÛÌÒß¹ served in the armed forces. This year, we remember those who served with just some of their faces, taken from our digital archive...
Museum to Reopen Nov. 3rd
Update for ÃÛÌÒß¹ lovers and newcomers!
We will open our reconfigured museum at 59 W. Main Street in New ÃÛÌÒß¹ on November 3rd, 2021, and resume our normal open hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 PM to 4:30 PM.
New ÃÛÌÒ߹’s Women in War: Real Life Rosies
Who were the real Rosies of our WWII factories and production lines? And even earlier, the thousands of American Red Cross nurses who served the nation in World War I? NBIM’s digital archives provide us with a look back at these women doing crucial jobs to support war efforts throughout the first half of the 20th century...
Anvil Place Exhibition Dates Extended!
By popular demand, our exhibition has been extended again through June 26, 2021. Tickets are available now! $5 per person, members who bring their membership card will be refunded their ticket price.
NBIM Celebrates Black Innovators: The Kitchen Inventions That Shaped New ÃÛÌÒ߹’s Industries
Connecticut boasts its fair share of inventors, but did you know that many of the products that were produced in New ÃÛÌÒ߹’s factories were invented by Black Americans? These innovators may not have lived in Connecticut, but they still made an impact on New ÃÛÌÒ߹’s industrial legacy...