Local artist rescues 300+ year old treasure in former Canton mill
By Canton Citizen
South Boston artist George L. Ware IV is turning treasure into functional art thanks to a discovery he made recently at a historic mill building in Canton.
During renovations being performed at the former factory site, located on Chapman Street, Ware was able to pick through the demolition waste. What he found was highly sought-after old-growth heart pine.
Ware is wood turning the beautiful heart pine into a “Series of Canton Bowls” to celebrate and share the history of the once steam-powered factory building, originally operated by the Knitted Mattress Company.
The first batch of bowls was released to the public for purchase last week.
This heart pine comes from the center of the longleaf pine trees of Virginia, which were used throughout New England to build factories because they grew straight and tall. Usually harvested at an age of at least 200 years, they grew to a height of about 150 feet and maybe 40 inches wide — perfect for industrial size roof framing, beams, and trusses.
After a bit of digging and some help from the Canton Historical Society, the old mill building was discovered to be the site of the Knitted Mattress Company, founded by George F. Sumner in 1880. The history also showed that the Knitted Mattress Company factory had a connection to the still running, sixth-generation Draper Knitting Company (1856 to present) around the corner on Washington Street. Sumner was originally a partner with James Draper before Sumner left in 1875 and later founded the Knitted Mattress Company in 1880 and patented a twisting machine for knitted cotton goods.
Each of the one-of-a-kind bowls are being turned on site in the old mill factory building at 105 Chapman Street.
The bowls are available for purchase directly from the artist (Mother’s Day Special – 20 percent off through May). They can be viewed at www.CantonBowls.com or in person at the factory. Text George at 614-746-3517 to make an appointment. To learn more about the artist or his work, visit www.aBostonArtist.com.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=73993
Posted by Canton Citizen
on Apr 16 2021. Filed under Business.
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