Woolrich woolen mills history and biography
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Woolrich Inc
1 Mill Street
Woolrich, Pennsylvania 17779
U.S.A.
Telephone: (570) 769-6464
Toll Free: (800) 995-1299
Fax: (570) 769-6470
Web site: http://www.woolrich.com
Private Company
Incorporated: 1830
Employees: 660
Sales: $200 million (2003 est.)
NAIC: 313210 Broadwoven Fabric Mills; 314129 Other Household Textile Product Mills; 315225 Men's and Boys' Cut and Sew Work Clothing Manufacturing; 315228 Men's and Boys' Cut and Sew Other Outerwear Manufacturing
Woolrich Inc. calls itself "The Original Outdoor Clothing Company." The wool hat and red-and-black plaid hunting coat that one associates with New England hunters have been staples at Woolrich since the 19th century. The company is headquartered in the small by of the same name in Clinton County, Pennsylvania. As the oldest vertically integrated woolen mill in the United States, Woolrich handles manufacturing "from sheep to shirt." However, it has followed the lead of other outerwear manufacturers in becomi
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Rich in Tradition
Woolrich, Inc.
Woolrich, Inc. of Clinton County has provided woolen wear for the outdoors for decades. This 1940 Catalog cover shows their signature buffalo-check pattern and the sheep from which their fabric comes.
Snuggling up in front of the fireplace under a warm wool blanket, trekking through the woods while hunting in a fleece jacket, or hiking up a snowy mountain in durable boots: These activities would not be as enjoyable as they are for many were it not for John Rich II and his establishment of his woolen mill. The Woolrich Woolen mill, located in Woolrich, Clinton County, is the U.S.’s oldest continuously operating woolen mill. The company calls itself “The Original Outdoor Clothing Company.” For over 180 years, Woolrich has supplied quality clothing items to hikers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
John Rich II emigrated to the U.S. from the midst of English wool-country. Although Rich lived in the middle of a rich region, he himself wa
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Today’s plaid is influenced by the 1990s grunge movement and the 1920s lumberjack look. But what is the story behind the clothing pattern? The beginning dates back to the 1500s. In 16th century Scotland, “plaid” was the word for Celtic skirts worn to protect people against the brutal winter weather. What we call plaid, they called “tartan”. This was various materials of different colors woven together in a striped pattern. Today, it has lasted throughout the centuries and may be the most well known pattern to date.
In early Scotland, weavers would create different tartans for clans. Each clan had its own design. We can relate this to today’s society. Picture yourself dressing up in scarlet and grey along with thousands of other fans for an Ohio State football game. This scenario is very much what clans did. Later on, the tartan design was used for military in Scotland. The Royal Regiment of Scotland, which remained the country’s pride until 2003, wore one tartan design called “Bl