Hartford, Connecticut, is home to M. Swift & Sons, which first opened its doors in 1887. M. Swift & Sons was the largest gold leaf (gold that has been hammered into very thin sheets) manufacturer in the country and the Hartford neighborhood for some time. By the mid-20th century, the company’s clientele had declined.
In 2010 the community residents were adamant about revitalizing their neighborhood and saw that the factory was the key. The leaders in the community reached out to Community Solutions on the restoration of the factory and then got together a list of what the community of North Hartford needed the most.
In 2019, the factory was fully restored, and there are now more than a dozen businesses operating there, creating jobs and services for the community. Due to this restoration, North Hartford has flourished with new opportunities, a thriving local economy, and an increase in community resiliency.
Original post by Mike Palien/People Saving Places
Read more here: https://savingplaces.org/stories/swift-factory-where-preservation-met-community-engagement#.Yppk7BPMIUo
