About The Mill Museum

The Mill Museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of the textile industry, the working people of the mills and explores their home life in unique ways.

Focusing on the time period of 1870 to 1920, the present two historic buildings which were built in 1877 and situated within the massive mill complex of the former Willimantic Linen Company, located in Willimantic, CT, are a lively place of enjoyment and learning.

The town of Windham is made up of four parts: North Windham, Windham Center, South Windham and Willimantic. As with many towns with abundant river water-power, mills were a very large part of the history of the town.The Museum is located in two buildings formerly owned by the Willimantic Thread Company (1854-1898). This company was bought by British owned American Thread Company (1898-1985).

The word Willimantic is the Algonquin Indian term for “land of the swift running water”. By 1849, railroads were adding to the growth of Willimantic. The first three railroads to go through Willimantic were the New London Northern Railroad, the Willimantic Railroad and the Palmer Railroad. From the end of the Civil War to the outbreak of World War II, Willimantic was the center for the production of silk and cotton shuttle loads within the property. Learn more on our eTour


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