Windham Textile & History Museum: A Mill Town Story

The Windham Textile & History Museum, also known as the Mill Museum, offers a glimpse into the textile industry's significant role in shaping Willimantic, Connecticut, also known as Thread City. Housed in the historic former headquarters of the American Thread Company, the museum preserves and interprets the history of textiles, the textile arts, and the experiences of the people who worked in the mills. The museum's main building was constructed in 1877 by the Willimantic Linen Company as a company store and library. The store occupied the first two floors, while the third floor housed a library and meeting room. The American Thread Company later converted the building into its main office. Today, the museum comprises two buildings: the former company store (Dunham Hall) and the Jonathan Dugan Building. Exhibits include the Brooke Shannon Antique Sewing Machine Room, a re-creation of a manager's office, and a replica of boarding houses from the 1880s. Visitors can explore artifacts such as vintage machinery, clothing, and photographs. The museum also hosts special events, workshops, and temporary exhibitions.