Reed and Barton Complex
Why it's listed
Reed and Barton's factory complex occupies about 14 acres along the Mill River in Taunton, in one of the city's first industrial villages. Its eight major brick factories, built between about 1830 and 1890, stand in east and west rows of roughly 600 feet each, joined by smaller foundry, tin shop, machine and carpentry buildings. The oldest structure, the Old Mill, predates the company's arrival. Other buildings include an Italianate former office, Mansard-roofed factories and a four-and-a-half-story mill from 1881. Two brick Cape-style workers' houses from about 1855 survive from the company housing built for its immigrant labor force. The firm began with Brittaniaware, a fine pewter, added sterling silver in 1889, and grew through absorbing competitors. It still operates on the site. The complex was listed for its role in Taunton's manufacturing growth, its association with the company's founders, and its range of industrial architecture, and it retains strong integrity despite later non-contributing one-story additions.
Significance in brief: The firm has operated on this site since 1830 and is one of the two largest surviving industries that shaped Taunton's growth, economy and settlement patterns. The complex illustrates varied 19th-century brick mill construction and retains two surviving company-built workers' houses. The nomination states it meets criteria A, B and C.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84002207, listed July 5, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W. Brittania and Danforth Sts., Taunton |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | July 5, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002207 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1830-1890 |
| Architectural style | 19th-century brick mill construction, including Italianate and Mansard-roofed buildings |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and in continuous industrial use, with the company still operating in its 19th-century mill setting. |
| Acreage | 14 |
| Coordinates | 41.91754, -71.10127 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84002207.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7306713
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.