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.
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.
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.
