Other L.M.A. Buildings
By: Kyle B., Alex B., Alexa C.,
Ethan D., and Kevin D.
Where could the mill workers go during their free time?
What could people do in the “REC”?
Where could the workers go to learn English?
Our group
researched the buildings built by the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates that the
townspeople could use in their every day lives. The primary source we examined
was a pamphlet advertising the Ludlow mill worker’s lives. Built
in 1906, the John E. Stevens Memorial Center or Village Clubhouse served as a
facility that the mill workers could use in their free time. It was named
after Mr. Stevens, who began working as the superintendent for the Ludlow Manufacturing
Company in 1881.
Stevens Memorial Building, built in 1906 Ludlow Manufacturing Associates |
Stevens Memorial Building today
|
In this recreation center people could do many different things such as swim, bowl, read, smoke, play games like pool and table tennis, cook, sew, or use the facility’s gymnasium. Men had to pay an annual fee of $2.00, whereas the women only had to pay $1.00 for use of this center. Today, many people recognize this building as being the “Old Boys and Girls Club.” There was also a large athletic field where people could go to play cricket and participate in many other activities. A village hospital was also built in 1908 and it was operated by the Ludlow Hospital Society.
Ludlow Hospital
Ludlow Manufacturing Associates
The business block was built in 1901 in downtown Ludlow near the mills. Here there were many businesses that were made for the people’s benefit. These included a barber shop, a post office, a shoe store, a grocery store, a meat market, the local bank, a tailor shop, a place where people could get their laundry done, as well as a haberdashery (a store where men’s accessories were sold). The business block’s main floor still remains and is the location for a variety of shops today, including Sosa’s Barbershop, Rutabaga’s Art Gallery, and Curves for Women. Additionally, the L.M.A. built the Ludlow Textile School as a place where young men were trained to become supervisors. During the evening, immigrants could go there and learn English, and prepared to become U.S. citizens. The textile school also served as a technical school. Overall, there were many things workers could do in their free time after working long hours for the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates.
The Business Block on East Street
Ludlow Manufacturing Associates
Click here to see more pictures of the L.M.A. Buildings.