Old Schwamb Mill
17 Mill Lane, Arlington Massachusetts 02476
Telephone: 781-643-0554
Email: info@oldschwambmill.org
Website: http://www.oldschwambmill.org
Tucked along the banks of the Mill Brook in Arlington, Massachusetts, the Old Schwamb Mill is a rare and remarkable link to America’s industrial and artistic past. Established in 1864 by Charles Schwamb, the Mill is the oldest continuously operating picture frame manufactory in the United States, preserving over 150 years of craftsmanship under one roof.
Inside, visitors encounter a working 19th-century factory where original machinery continues to produce handcrafted oval and circular frames. These distinctive forms, once popular for portrait photography, remain at the heart of the Mill’s tradition today. Alongside its working shop, the Mill serves as a museum and community space, offering tours, educational programs, and events that bring its history to life.
At the Old Schwamb Mill, past and present meet through the enduring art of frame-making, inviting visitors to experience a living piece of New England’s industrial heritage.
About the Schwamb Mill Preservation Trust:
The Schwamb Mill Preservation Trust exists for the preservation, maintenance and enhancement of the Old Schwamb Mill in Arlington, Massachusetts. Established in 1864 as a picture frame manufactory, the Mill is located on the site of many previous mills built on Mill Brook. It is the rare survivor of the small, family owned mills that helped define New England and is the oldest continuously operating mill site in the United States. The Mill’s unique 19th century elliptical faceplate lathes, its original shaft-and-pulley machinery, and the original hand-turning process are used to this day to create custom-made oval and circular frames. The Trust preserves and protects the Mill’s site, buildings, tools, archives, machinery and manufacturing techniques as unique cultural and educational resources.
Old Schwamb Mill 