"A century ago, New England led American textile production. Skilled artisans crafted lasting, natural fiber goods in countless mills across the region. No firm eclipsed American Woolen Company. Founded in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1899, A.W.C. swiftly grew into the world’s largest wool manufacturer, operating over 60 mills and employing more than 40,000 people. Then synthetics and off-shoring decimated the industry. New England’s wealth of textile expertise was nearly lost amid the relics. But a single mill survived, preserving skill with natural fibers for another day"