the amazing life & times of Austin T. Levy
a documentary
by kenneth proudfoot
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the amazing story

The story of the life of Austin T. Levy begins in New York City. From poor and humble beginnings, and a few years of schooling fueled by an open mind, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and information, and endless curiosity led this young man to change forever the worlds of industrial management, wages, paid vacations, and employee ownership. His other lives as a musician, farmer, philanthropist, and visionary entrepreneur add further interest to this story of a man who loved people and endeavored to
make their lives better.

Levy's Life Timeline

Preparing the documentary

The 36-month project to research, write, and film the story of Austin T. Levy and 
his legacy began in March 2013 with the reading of a biography by Louis Bleiweis. 
I read the book twice, realizing after the first reading that this was not just a story 
about a business man who owned several textile mills in the first half of the 20th 
century.  There was more, much more, to the life of Austin T. Levy.  

Encouraged by Reference Librarian Linda Rivet at the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library
in Harrisville, RI, I began digging deeper into the life and times of this unique figure who 
first made his mark at 29 years old by leasing a small mill in the village of Greenville in 
the town of Smithfield in northwest Rhode Island. With this first mill, Levy started Stillwater 
Worsted Mills. The Greenville Mill soon became too small to meet demand and and Levy 
leased a larger mill from the Tinkham family in the village of Harrisville. Levy's company 
would continue to grow and include 11 mills in three states.  Burrillville Town Historian
Pat Mehrtens also supported and encouraged this project from the beginning and shared
her extensive knowledge and memories of Mr. Levy and the communities he supported.
GOOD NEWS! This project received a mini-grant from the Rhode Island Council for the 
Humanities in December, 2013 to help support more in-depth research, including the 
gathering of photographs, maps, interviews, and travel to many of the mills that were a 
part of Stillwater Worsted Mills.   
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