The Noble & Cooley Center for Historic Preservation is very pleased to announce that the Massachusetts State Historic Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission have awarded it a second $1,000 preservation grant.
NCCHP will use this grant to continue the work of cleaning, organizing and preserving our massive paper archives that date back to the late 1800’s. These records provide a rare glimpse into the Granville people who managed Noble & Cooley and the workers who manufactured everything from drums to toys and the machinery on which they were made.
Since receiving the first grant we have discovered many hidden gems that were stored in dilapidated boxes. Thanks to the SHRAB grant funds these important records have now been more safely preserved for future generations.
Since receiving the first grant we have discovered many hidden gems that were stored in dilapidated boxes. Thanks to the SHRAB grant funds these important records have now been more safely preserved for future generations.
Among the many treasures we have unearthed are an incredible collection of 19th century manufacturing equipment catalogs, complete Bulletins for the Toy Manufacturers of America documenting business developments and challenges during the Great Depression of the 1930's, payroll records from the 1890's, records for the Lister Bruston electric plant and many other catalogs and correspondence relating to much of the equipment on display in the museum. Even the 1925 registration for the Noble & Cooley Model T Ford turned up.
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| Registration for Noble & Cooley Model T truck (last 3 digits of engine number not shown) |
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| Noble & Cooley Time and Pay Roll for May, 1889 (Click on image for larger version) |
We wish to express our appreciation to SHRAB for approving our grant request and once again thank Rachel Onuf, SHRAB's "roving archivist" who has guided our preservation path, as well as University Products of Holyoke, MA. for helping us get the most out of the grant funds.
