Our heirloom quality custom oval frames have been handcrafted in Massachusetts since 1864

The Old Schwamb Mill is historically significant as a picture frame manufactory that survives intact from the Civil War era.

When Charles Schwamb started the business of making frames in 1864, much of his business was drawn from customers who wanted oval and circular frames for photographic portraits. The mill converted walnut, oak, cherry, and other North American and tropical hardwoods into finely crafted natural wood and gilded frames.

Schwamb frames and mouldings are found in many major art museums in the United States and are included in the collections of the United States White House, Buckingham Palace, the Iolani Palace in Honolulu, and the collection of Queen Sylvia of Sweden.

Frame Makers working at the Mill have included our current artisan  David W. Graf; David Hogan; Walter Horak, Ronald J. McLellen; Gordon E. Richardson; and Gordon Whitermore.

Today, the Old Schwamb Mill continues to produce high quality hand-made wooden oval and circular frames using the original mill templates and machinery. Created by our artisan wood turner, David W. Graf, a frame made at the Old Schwamb Mill gives you the opportunity to make an investment in historic preservation.

For a video about the Mill and our frame-making process, please click here This footage was produced by Arlington Community Media, Inc. (ACMi).

For our Frames Brochure, which includes information on ordering a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind oval frame, click here.