Ames Manufacturing Company | |
 The former Ames factory in Chicopee, MA, now The Apartments at Ames Privilege | |
   | |
| Location | Chicopee, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°8′57″N72°36′24″W / 42.14917°N 72.60667°W /42.14917; -72.60667 |
| Built | 1847 |
| Architect | Charles McClallan |
| Architectural style | Early Republic, Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000734[1] |
| Added to NRHP | June 23, 1983 |
Ames Manufacturing Company was a manufacturer of swords, tools, and cutlery inChicopee, Massachusetts, as well as an iron and bronze foundry. They were a significant provider of side arms, swords, light artillery, and heavy ordnance for theUnion in theAmerican Civil War. They also cast several bronze statues, which can be found throughout New England.
The Ames Manufacturing Company has its origins in a factory established in 1774[citation needed] inChelmsford, Massachusetts by the Ames family. BrothersNathan P. Ames Jr. and James T. Ames moved their tool and cutlery business to a new industrial town on theChicopee River nearSpringfield, Massachusetts in 1829.[2] They were invited byEdmund Dwight, who owned textile mills nearby.[3] The Ames company began manufacturing swords for the federal government and state militias.[4]
As the town of Chicopee was formed in 1848, the Ames brothers were leaders in the new community.[3] Upon the death of Nathan P. Ames in 1847, ownership of the company turned to younger brother James Tyler Ames.[5]
By 1835, the company was creating works in brass and bronze, and in 1845, an iron foundry was added.[6] The company used the foundries for casting statuary and producing military cannons and cannonballs.[7]
The bronze doors of the East Wing of theUnited States Capitol andDaniel Chester French's Minuteman statue at the Lexington-Concord bridge were cast at the Ames company.[8] Other statues included large equestrian statues ofGeorge Washington (at theBoston Public Garden and inWashington, D.C.), a statue ofBenjamin Franklin (Boston), and a statue ofMajor John Mason.[8]
When the Mexican–American War broke out, the foundry's primary output switched to armament.[7]
Upon the declared secession and formation of theConfederate States of America, the United States Army lost access to its southern arsenals. Independent arms manufacturers became crucial to the success of the U.S. Army.[9] Ames was one of the U.S. Army's most important manufacturers of side arms, swords, and light artillery and the third largest producer of heavy ordnance.[9]
In addition to producing military equipment for many years, including swords, cannons, and cannonballs, it produced sewing machine and bicycle parts in the later 19th century. The company was a major supplier of bicycles to theOverman Wheel Company from 1883-1887.[10] The sword manufacturing business was formally separated into an independent company in 1881.[11]
By 1907, the Ames foundries had been purchased by Chicopee'sA.G. Spalding Company.[12]
The historic Ames Company factory, located at 5-7 Springfield Street inChicopee, Massachusetts, is a complex of connected industrial buildings, the oldest of which dates to 1847. Most of the older elements are brick in construction and range in height from one to four stories.This complex was added to theNational Register of Historic Places in 1983.[1] The largest surviving buildings have been converted into residences.
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