Tack Factory, The
Also known as: Salmond Tack Factory
Why it's listed
Beside a mill pond on Third Herring Brook in Norwell, Massachusetts, this former tack factory dates to about 1834. The original building is a low, post-and-beam frame structure of one story plus attic, with heavy hand-hewn timbers, a broad high-pitched roof, shingled walls and a tall brick chimney. A granite sluiceway still runs beneath the building, where the water wheel and related machinery remain in place, though unused. Additions were made around 1900 and in 1970. The site first held a grist mill, reportedly built by Charles Stockbridge and later run by Recompense Tiffany, for whom the pond and nearby road are named. Around 1834 Captains Zephaniah Talbot and Samuel Salmond acquired the water rights, built the main structure and began making tacks. Salmond family members kept the works running as Samuel Salmond & Sons into the mid-20th century. It is the last surviving water-powered mill in Norwell, and a printing company now occupies the building.
Significance in brief: The factory operated continuously for well over 100 years under several generations of the Salmond family, which the nomination calls unique in Norwell's history. It is the last remaining water-powered mill in Norwell, with its granite sluiceway intact and the water wheel and machinery still in place beneath the building.
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 80000472, listed December 3, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SW of Norwell at 49 Tiffany Rd., Norwell |
|---|---|
| County | Plymouth County |
| Listed | December 3, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000472 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1834 |
| Architect / builder | Captain Zephaniah Talbot and Captain Samuel Salmond (acquired water rights and built the main structure); Builder/Architect field lists n/a |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | A printing company currently operates in and owns the building; the sluiceway is still operational and the water wheel is long out of use. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.12272, -70.80854 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 80000472.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7767883
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.