Thomas Kay Woolen Mill

thomas_kay_woolen-_mill_001

Employees of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill

Learn more about the men and women who made the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill work.  We are slowly compiling an online database of known Mill Workers. Check back often for new content!

Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Employees. WHC M3 2007-010-0013

Working at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill

Learn more about working conditions at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill

Man standing in dye vat next to steaming ppe with wool in hands and hat on head.

Clarence E. Jantze in Dye House. WHC Collections M3 1992-101-0010 Detail

Loom Re-warping Project

Throughout 2023, the Willamette Heritage Center is undertaking a project to warp its Crompton and Knowles W-3 A demonstration loom.  We will be posting regular updates on our project page here.

Virtual Tour with Tom Kay

Take a virtual tour of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill with 4th generation owner Tom Kay. Hear his own stories about his experiences growing up at and working in the mill.

Site History

This site was chosen by Thomas Kay for a reason.  A natural waterway that had already been improved for a Linseed oil factory made the site an ideal location fora new woolen mill.

Catterlin, B&W photo of Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Co. with workers standing and sitting in front of the building. Photograph of original Kay Mill built 1889., M3 1974-015-0007a

TIMELINE

1841
Oregon Methodist Mission to Oregon builds building on site.

1865
Property purchased by Willamette Woolen Mills Manufacturing Co. (not same as Thomas Kay Woolen Mills see description below)

1867
Pioneer Linseed Oil Factory opens

1889
Property purchased for Thomas Kay Woolen Mill

1895
Major fire in main building and groundbreaking for current brick structure

1962
Final Closure Thomas Kay Woolen Mill

1964
Formation of the Mission Mill Museum Association