Mill employees of Stehli Silks Corporation photograph

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Mill Employees of Stehli Silks Corporation Photograph, 1927 August 25, SC 0372, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.19 cubic feet 1 flat file
Creator:
Staley, Harry, 1876-1944, Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, and Derrer, Larry, 1944-2022
Abstract:
Black-and-white panoramic photograph of the employees and mill at the Stehli Silks Corporation in Harrisonburg.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Mill Employees of Stehli Silks Corporation Photograph, 1927 August 25, SC 0372, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

Black-and-white panoramic photograph of the employees and silk mill at the Stehli Silks Corporation in Harrisonburg. Approximately 164 employees and one dog are photographed in front of the mill. The photograph is labeled "Mill Employees of Stehli Silks Corp. Harrisonburg, Va." and "Harry Staley Harrisonburg Va. 8-25-27."

Several buildings are pictured in the distance, most notably Otterbein United Methodist Church. Massanutten Peak is also faintly visible.

Biographical / historical:

On January 14, 1921, the Stehli Silks Corporation opened its Harrisonburg mill on the corner of W. Wolfe St. and N. Brook Ave. Stehli Silks was a Swiss textile manufacturing company that also operated plants in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; High Point, North Carolina; and Waynesboro, Virginia. By October 1921, the Harrisonburg mill employed 85 women. In July 1933, Stehli Silks increased its Harrisonburg employment roll from 400 to 500 workers.

The Harrisonburg mill was sold to Schwarzenbach Huber Co., a New York-based textile company, in May 1957 and subsequently closed in June 1957.

Acquisition information:
Purchased at Jeffrey S. Evans Associates' Americana Auction on March 22, 2024.
Custodial history:

From the estate of Larry Derrer, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Dimensions:
33" x 10"
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard