Worcester Bleach and Dye Works
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Worcester Bleach and Dye Works at 60 Fremont Street is a brick factory complex in the Webster Square area of southern Worcester. Its front building, begun about 1909, is a two-story structure with massive red brick walls, segmented-arched windows and a granite-framed, round-arched Classical entrance. A three-story brick building and a stucco-covered wood section complete the complex. The company bleached, dyed and mercerized cotton yarns and produced thread, and was regarded as one of the best thread dye houses in the country. Its roots reach back to the Springside Dye Works of 1865, and its 1888 wooden factory across the street helped open Webster Square to industry. After the firm left about 1938, other manufacturers occupied the buildings, including Economic Machinery Corporation from 1944 to 1966. The complex was listed for its role in Worcester's industrial history and as a typical example of the city's early 20th century factory architecture. Renovations in 1986 altered windows, doors and the roof cornice.
Significance in brief: It is significant under Criterion A as the early 20th century plant of the longest-lived and most successful thread company in Worcester, and for its pioneering role in developing the Webster Square area for industry. Under Criterion C it is a characteristic example of the city's early 20th century industrial architecture. Later companies, including Economic Machinery Corporation (1944-1966), also used the complex.
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 00001343, listed November 8, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 60 Fremont St., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | November 8, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00001343 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1909-1950 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th - Early 20th Century Revivals: Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Industry, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The complex still has an industrial function. A 1986 renovation replaced the windows and doors, removed the cornice and stuccoed the wood section, and the original Fremont Street entrance is no longer used. |
| Acreage | 5.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.24159, -71.81714 (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 00001343.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8034146
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.