River Industries Collections

Tool collections and product samples help the Museum to interpret a variety of industries that helped farmers supplement their incomes and that shaped the landscape in the twentieth century. Shipbuilding tools from the Hurd Yard in Middle Haddam are central to our interpretation of the largest single industry along the River, The Double Twist Auger, that revolutionized shipbuilding, was invented on the Museum site and produced in large numbers in small shops along the River's tributaries. Quarrying was carried on in several towns during and the Museum owns tools from the Whitmore granite quarry in Haddam and a lively interest in Brownstone quarrying.

The ivory-cutting industry that flourished in Deep River and in Essex is tied to the Museum's home in the steamboat warehouse. Our collection includes product samples and some raw ivory including tusks. An interesting local industry that had state-wide suppliers was the E.E. Dickinson Witch Hazel distillery that advertised its product all over the U.S. The Museum owns some of that advertising materials.