The images in this gallery were captured the Everett and Stone Mills in Lawrence, MA, the site of the Bread and Roses strike in 1912.
Although the floors seemed empty, there are still many artifacts that have been left behind (e.g., the scale shown in this gallery). Of great interest to me was an area in the back of the second floor of the Stone Gallery where a back door has the word “Exit” in large, bright red hand lettering just above a wooden wheel. It was not until I saw this image magnified during post processing that I noticed pencil writing including names and addresses of people who were leaving messages behind as they moved on to other areas of their lives. Just above the “T” in exit is one message from a man who evidently left to fight for his country. Under the address “c/o the Adjutant General, Washington, D.C." appear these fateful words: “Sailed for France July 26, 1917.” I gave this image the title, “Leaving the Mills, ca . 17”. (The picture printed from this image appeared in the Frances Roddy show at Concord Art in 2013).
Thanks to Bob Lussier and Steven Perlmutter of the Historic Mills Photography Workshops for their assistance in gaining access to the mills.
© Bob Bass