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Thorndike Mills
... a truly
American Made Hero Company.
A note from the Garabedian family
-- "Our Father's and Grandfather's life truly captured the essence of attaining the 'American Dream,' and we work hard to
preserve his values. With every rug that leaves our factory, we take pride that it represents the vision he saw for
himself when he came here at such a young age. We look forward to making a rug for your home that captures his story of
dedication to hard work and perseverance."
After temporarily closing his business during the depression founder Gary Garabedian decided in 1933 to move his small rug
weaving business to a small and quaint New England town west of
Boston in Thorndike (now Palmer), Mass. After settling his depression debts and with a small savings account, Mr. Garabedian
restarted his business as G.M.Garabedian & Co. making Rag Rugs on handlooms after which his business began to take hold.
In the early 90’s, third generation members, Karen and Janice continue to fulfill the legacy of
their grandparents, offering new ideas to keep up with styles and trends of today. Their pride continues with
the same respect for quality that Thorndike has been known for all these years.
AmericanMadeHeroes.com AmericanMadeHeroes.com
In today's difficult economic times for our domestic manufacturers we applaud the Garabedian family
for continuing to maintain the family traditions of hard work and focus on quality. Thorndike Mills
continues to manufacture their rugs in central Massachusetts proudly employing their fellow Americans
as they have for generations. We warmly welcome and applaud the Garabedian family as proud members of
American Made Heroes.com
We enthusiastically welcome Thorndike Mills as a new member of AmericanMadeHeroes.com! |
Gabriel M. Garabedian |
Gabriel M. Garabedian, better known to family, friends, and colleagues as “Gary”, fled his homeland of Eastern Turkey,
formerly Ancient Armenia, at the young age of 15, during as what has become known as the first Genocide of the twentieth
century. Loosing most his family, having only little money, he was faced with choices that a 15 year old should never have
to decide. He journeyed as a refugee for over three years, to eventually make his way to America, by way of Ellis Island.
-- Gabriel M. Garabedian ... an American Made Hero! |
Thorndike Village |
Thorndike Village, located in the valley at the falls on the Ware River, was originally settled by the Ferrells, McElwains
and Quintons as early as 1732 (familiar names if you perused the Palmer Center cemetery grounds). From 1736 on, there has
always been a mill on the river; first a gristmill, then a sawmill and in 1837 the Thorndike Company Textile Mill. Before
Israel Thorndike, John S. Wright and Luther Parks began construction of the Number 1 mill, there were few houses in this
valley. However the mill brought prosperity to the hamlet along with jobs for 600 workers.
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Patriot-Manufacturer-Innovator Boston's Faneuil Hall |
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Click above for survey results. |
Patriotism, Jobs Primary Motivations for 'Buying American'
PRINCETON, NJ -- Forty-five percent of Americans say they recently made a special effort to buy products made in the United States. When asked why, these shoppers mainly cited patriotic or altruistic goals related to the national economy, including creating and keeping jobs in the U.S., rather than product-specific considerations such as quality, safety, or cost. Click here for survey results. |