The design for Robinson's is loosely based on a building that was the centerpiece of a small manufacturing town in Central Massachusetts. We combined the essence of this with the business of making and selling components for electricians. There is a family connection, but that's another story. The original model the kit is based on is the focus of the town of Millville, on our layout - the South River and Millville RR. The building, which sits on the opposite bank of the South River from Delabarre Tap & Die, represents all that we find exiting about a character - laden New England structure. It started as a small structure on a stone foundation near the river - probably a powerhouse. Over the years it evolved into a larger, rambling building that followed the existing road. A tower was added as perhaps as a symbol of success or to draw people's attention. The tower on the actual building was quite unsafe (and of questionable architectural value) and so it was torn down some years after the great "unveiling". Over time various bits and pieces were added and subtracted. Parts of the complex were used for retail and some areas were used for manufacturing. All in all - a very busy place!

As with many of our kits, we have made extensive use of the drama of topographic change and water features. For the less adventuresome, the kit can easily adapted be built on a flat site. That version eliminated the lower level in the rear and the step-down in the storefronts. The three detached buildings can be placed anywhere. This feature is built into the design and is covered in the instructions.We hope you will enjoy our adaption in kit form of one of our favorites from the SRMW layout.

The kit includes everything seen in the diorama with the exception of the figures and vehicles. The dam & stone retaining walls shown are part of the kit.

$300.00

In the 19th century Conway was an industrial hub in Western Massachusetts. One of the mills, Delabarre Woolens, operated from 1867 until it was destroyed by fire in 1904. A brick mill for the manufacture of taps & dies was built on the site in 1909. If you are familiar with South River kits you know that the 1909 brick mill was the basis for our first kit – Delabarre Tap & Die. After 20 years and 23 kits, we felt it was time to come full circle and do a kit that celebrates the spirit of what started SRMW - The Delabarre Woolen Mill.

The main building in this three building kit is a mill in the style of the Delabarre Woolen Mill. Our kits draw their themes from actual buildings. They are also scaled to fit layouts and incorporate features from other buildings in the region. This provides interest and authenticity. The Power Mill by the dam is based on features from one of our favorite mills in the Blackstone River Valley. The factory housing is based on a building we did for our layout, which in turn was based on research into factory housing in Western Massachusetts.

Don't miss out on this kit! After 21 years, we are downsizing. Delabarre Woolens is our last large, three building kit. We’ll continue with the yearly introduction of a somewhat smaller kit (like when we started out),that will be just as innovative, accurately rendered and carefully crafted. Also, in order to enable a return to the hobby and other interests, future runs will be much smaller.

All the buildings in the kit are designed for flat sites. We have also provided a series of stone retaining walls, a lower level for the yellow Power Mill, a dam and sluice gate machinery for both mills so that you can do a riverside scene with water power.

The kit includes everything seen in the diorama with the exception of the figures and vehicles. The dam & stone retaining walls shown are part of the kit.

$300.00