Designer Spotlight: Woolrich Woolen Mills

Translation missing: en.sections.article.title: Designer Spotlight:
Woolrich Woolen Mills

Civil War: Started 1861. Ended 1865. Woolrich: Started 1830. Ended?

It didn't.

Since 1830, eight generations of the Rich family have lived and worked amidst the same rural landscape of north central Pennsylvania, not two miles from where founder John Rich erected his first mill.

Woolrich Woolen Mills | Woolrich PA USA

Today, Woolrich is the longest continuously running woolen mill in the USA, and the only one still in operation that produced woolen fabrics for the Civil War. How great is that?

Founded in 1830 by John Rich, the first mill was located in Plum Run, Pennsylvania. Working out of an old mule cart, Rich sold his wares to loggers, miners, rivermen and trappers. Business took off, and by 1845 he expanded and moved the mill to Factoryville... later Richville... and after 1888, what is now Woolrich, PA.

Obviously, a lot's changed since then. But one thing remains constant: bales of raw wool still come in one end of the mill and go out the other just as beautiful and functional now as they were in the 1800s.

Woolrich Woolen Mills | Woolrich PA USA
Woolrich Woolen Mills | Woolrich PA USA

Woolrich may have ditched the mule cart, but their commitment to quality remains just as strong today as the moment John Rich first yelled out "Open for business!" Woolrich Woolen Mills | Woolrich PA USA

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