American Thermos Bottle Company Laurel Hill Plant
American Thermos Bottle Company Laurel Hill Plant | |
Location | 11 Thermos Avenue, Norwich, Connecticut |
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Coordinates | 41°30′37″N 72°4′43″W / 41.51028°N 72.07861°W |
Area | 8.7 acres (3.5 ha) |
Built | Varies |
Architectural style | Varies |
NRHP reference No. | 88003091[1] |
Added to NRHP | July 17, 1989 |
The American Thermos Bottle Company Laurel Hill Plant, located in the
Since its nomination, numerous changes and renovations have occurred. The surrounding area has seen the construction of
Background
The citizens of
Plant overview
The plant was laid out roughly north to south orientation along the Thames River. The plant itself is a mixture of interconnected buildings and stand-alone structures. The stand-alone structures included three propane sheds (Buildings 63, 64 and 65) that were located near the Human Resources building (Building 86) and its storage shed (Building 30).[3] The main structure of the plant was a string of connecting buildings that were erected and integrated into the production and operation of the plant. At the north end of the plant was the Research and Development building (Building 87), it was located connected to two large storage buildings (Building 1 and 2). On the front of Building 2 was the main offices (Building 85). Building 2 is connected to the largest building, the Manufacturing Building (Building 3), which is connected to the Manufacturing Glass House (Building 5) and Glass House 2 (Building 32). Building 32 also served as storage building. Connected to Building 5 is the Glass House Cullet & Mix House (Number 7) and the Compressor & Auxiliary Generator building (Number 9) at the southern end.[3]
Originally, the plant consisted of the company offices and the large Manufacturing Building. The Mason house, which would become the company office was originally constructed in 1861. It is a two-story brick
The Human Resources and Research and Development buildings were originally constructed around 1912 by the MacKay Copper Process Company. The property was acquired in 1923 by the Thermos Company following the foreclosure of the MacKay company. The Human Resources building was used by the enameling department until its conversion in 1948. The Research and Development building was previously the Engineering building.[3] A one-story hipped frame gatehouse was constructed in the 1920s. The Carpenter Shop (Building 62) was constructed in 1926. The Thermos factory completed construction of a storage building in 1929 (Building 2) and another storage building in 1941 (Building 1). Glass House 1 (Building 5) was constructed in 1939 and incorporates a warehouse dating from 1930 into its construction. Glass House 2 was constructed in 1951 and is connected to the Manufacturing Building by a conveyor.[3]
Modern use and adaptation
The plant was a set in the 1990 movie Everybody Wins, after which the property was partially redeveloped into condominiums.[5][note 1] The project failed and resulted in the closure of the Brooklyn Savings Bank in 1990.[5] The Thermos on Thames condominium assets were acquired by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and was purchased by TOT Transfer for $420,000. An auction was held and around $1.2 million was made for the purchase of 25 condominiums, but 55 unsold units were transferred to Real Estate Seizure Sales and 30 acres (12 ha) to Thermos Norwich Developers LLC.[6] The factory was also converted to loft-style apartments.[7]
In 1997, the Integrated Day Charter School renovated a 16,000-square-foot (1,500 m2) section of the factory for use as a school. This required the demolition of two buildings to serve as space for a playground and parking spaces. The total cost of the renovations were estimated at $750,000 and would be partly paid by the State of Connecticut. The renovations were expected to be completed by August 27, 1997, in time for the school's opening.[8] Integrated Day Charter School has a maximum enrollment of 330 students across pre-kindergarten to eighth grade with a majority of children residing in the Norwich area and 15% in nearby towns. The charter school has an application wait list and holds a lottery for admittance of pre-kindergarten students.[9]
Since the time of its NRHP nomination, the plant and the surrounding area have undergone numerous changes which have impacted and removed buildings.[5] The construction of the Integrated Day Charter School removed the Research and Development and Storage Building 1. The "Colosseum" as it was termed, was an outdoor gym which retained sides of the former building.[10] Completed in 2008, the two-story addition created an indoor gymnasium, kitchen, offices and a new lobby for the school at a cost of $2 million.[11] The renovation of the large Manufacturing building included the installation of new windows and energy-efficient roofing along with the installation of modern mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.[12]
Significance
The American Thermos Bottle Company Laurel Hill Plant is historically significant as the primary factory for the production of Thermos bottles that would allow the company to dominate in the world market. It is also historically significant as an example of the Norwich community coming together to attract the company and diversify the local industry. The plant was the primary factory where
See also
- List of bottle types, brands and companies
- National Register of Historic Places listings in New London County, Connecticut
Notes
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Stanley, Bill (April 2, 2000). "Norwich's Fortunes Ran Hot And Cold Until The Thermos Bottle Co. Arrived". The Day. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Plummer, Dale S. (1989). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: American Thermos Bottle Company Laurel Hill Plant". National Park Service. and accompanying photos (PDF).
- ^ a b c "National Museum Honors Thermos". The Day. April 14, 2004. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "1912: Thermos". The Day. December 31, 1999. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ Collins, David (November 24, 1992). "25 Condos Are Sold At Auction". The Day. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ Andriote, John-Manuel (February 21, 2014). "The Other Connecticut, the Other America". Pacific Standard Magazine. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
- ^ Bessette, Claire (May 16, 1997). "Charter School Signs Thermos Lease". The Day. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ "The Integrated Day Charter School: Annual Report 2013-2014" (PDF). Integrated Day Charter School. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
- ^ Benson, Judy (December 20, 2000). "Brick by Brick". The Day. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
- ^ Maldonado, Marisa (February 27, 2008). "Norwich charter school opens new wing". Norwich Bulletin. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
- ^ "Adaptive Reuse & Space Planning". CME Engineering. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2014.