Monument Mills

Monument Mills are historic textile mills in the Housatonic village of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The Monument Mills Company operated a textile business at these sites between 1850 and 1955. Its facilities, which occupy both sides of the Housatonic River and from which they initially drew their power, underwent significant expansion and renovation over this period of use, predominantly in the 19th and early 20th century. A decline in demand and changing tastes in textiles brought about a decline in business, and the mills closed in 1955, thereafter suffering from vacancy and neglect. Today, the some parts of the complex house artists and small businesses. The mill complexes were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The company was also responsible for the construction of the Glendale Power House further up the Housatonic River in Stockbridge; this facility was one of the first hydroelectric power stations built to provide power for industrial work, and is also listed on the National Register.