Historic images from the Eclipse Mill’s history as a cotton textile spinning and weaving mill.
American photographer Lewis Hine (1874-1940) worked as an investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) between 1908-1924. His photographs of impoverished children in deplorable working conditions were instrumental in the passage of child labor laws in the United States. Lewis Hine visited the Eclipse Mill in 1911. Not permitted to enter the building by management, he took photographs of the child workers outside on the streets and at nearby worker’s housing.
An exhibition of Lewis Hine photographs taken at the Eclipse Mill, as well as other historic images, is on permanent exhibition in the east entrance passageway.
1881 drawing showing the Eclipse Mill. Building extensions in upper left are situated in what is now the mill’s east parking lot.
Eclipse Mill with clock tower in middle distance
1904, a view overlooking North Adams
August 1911, child workers outside the Eclipse Mill. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
August 1911, child workers outside the Eclipse Mill. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
August 1911, workers outside the Eclipse Mill. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
1911, Eclipse Mill workers. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
1911, child workers at mill housing. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
August 1911, child workers outside worker’s housing for the Eclipse Mill. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
August 1911, child workers at what is now the Eclipse Mill. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
August 1911, child workers outside the Eclipse Mill. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
August 1911, child workers outside the Eclipse Mill. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
A 13 year old worker outside the Eclipse Mill. Photograph by Lewis Hine.
Workers housing on Union St. in what is now the Eclipse Mill western parking lot. Photographer and date unknown.
Newspaper clipping, Date unknown
Photograph showing the trolley that ran between the Beaver Mill and the Eclipse Mill. Photographer and date unknown.
1940, Eclipse Mill on left. Walkways across Union street allowed workers to pass between the spinning and weaving buildings. Photographer and date unknown.
Newspaper clipping, Date unknown
Looking easterly on Union St., Eclipse Mill on left. Photographer/date unknown.
Looking west, down Union St. Eclipse Mill clock tower can be seen in foreground, right center. The bridge across road is walkway for workers going between buildings.
Newspaper clipping, Date unknown
Newspaper clipping, Date unknown
Newspaper clipping, Date unknown
Eclipse Mill before the flood channel was constructed in the 1950’s. Photographer and date unknown.
1938 flood, North Adams, MA.
1938 flood, North Adams, MA.
1948 flood, Eclipse Mill in center.
1948 flood, Briggsville dam.
1948 flood, looking across Union St. Eclipse Mill is just out of the picture, to the left.
Flood damage to the wooden buildings in what is now the west end parking lot of the Eclipse Mill.
Upper dam on the Hoosic River before the flood channel was built.. Photographer and date unknown.
Work in progress on the Hoosic River flood control project. The small building in left middle is located in what is now the Eclipse Mill west parking lot. Photographer and date unkonw.
