Leominster
Historical Society
17 School Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Contact:
Linda Pinder or Jane Fischer
Phone: 978-537-5424
E-mail: info@leominsterhistorical.org
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday 9 a.m.-noon, or by appointment
Furniture Collections
Merriam
Hall & Company
Note: Merriam Hall was established in 1864. In 1947 it became Charlton
Furniture Company, which is now out of business.
1 folder containing news clippings and other materials, including:
- Group photograph of Merriam Hall workers, c. 1883
- 2 recent prints from glass place negatives: Forest Street factory and Crawford Street
- 1 page brochure – “Authentic English Reproductions”
- 4 page catalog – “Quality Colonial Bedroom Pieces,” c. 1930s
Selig
Manufacturing Company
Note: Selig was founded in 1931 in Gardner, and moved to Leominster in
1939,
1 folder containing news clippings and other materials, including:
- snapshot of Mr. Mendell Selig, owner, 1940
- photo of front of Selig Co., c. 1960
- photo of banquet, with 5 men, at time of building project, 1964
Whitney
Reed Company
Note: Whitney Reed was established in 1893, making furniture of reed
and rattan. The company made occasional chairs, hobby horses and toys.
1 record box containing news clippings and other materials, including:
- Photocopy of catalog cover, 1894-1895
- Correspondence and bills, 1906, 1910, 1930s
- 3-page handwritten “A Visit to a Factory” by W. Herbert Green, May 11, 1911
- photographs of children with hobby horse and go-cart
- reproduction of 1897-1898 catalog – “Toys, Blackboards & Novelties”
- reproduction of 1901-1902 catalog
- photocopies of toy designs and patents
- small notebooks containing some company records
- photographs of woven reed rocking chairs with descriptions, c. 1920s
