There is just one Forge Village in the entire United States and it is found in Westford, Massachusetts!
Explore Forge Village with Westford Town Historian, Geoff Hall and friends as they take you on a walking tour of the backstreets and neighbors of the village. They will be sharing stories of the amazing people that changed the course of the village, as well as discussing the important role local industries had on the growth and development of the Forge Village as we know it today.
Meet at the Cameron Center to start your walking tour and let’s explore the “one and only” Forge Village together!
The Forge Village Historic District of Westford, Massachusetts encompasses one of the towns historic 19th century mill villages. The focal point of the district is the mill complex of the Abbot Worsted Company, around which the village expanded after its founding in 1854. Prior to its founding the area was the site of a number of blacksmiths and iron forging operations, and was the site of a fulling mill in the 18th century. The center of the district is at the junction of East and West Prescott Streets with Pleasant Street, radiating away to ballfields on West Prescott, Abbot Street at Pleasant, and just beyond Orchard Street on East Prescott. Worker housing occupies a number of adjacent streets in the area. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
FORGE VILLAGE
Hodgman, History of Westford, Mass. (1883)
pgs. 351 – 354
Hodgman Describes Forge Village Location
On the west side of Beaver Brook near the bridge: Unknown
Cogwell place, later Calvin Green, later Charles Reed. Maybe J.P. Prescott on
It was once a hospital for small-pox patients. Symmes Map at town line.
Following the road to the village, Kent place, Burned.
at the corner of the road leading to Westford Center; Cnr. Patten &
included a blacksmith shop. Pleasant (225)
Isaac Durant, Rev. War; later Ebenezer Blood, Charles Miner. See Symmes Map
Burned, now owned by D. P. Lawrence. “E. Blood”
https://www.westfordcat.org/watch-online/public/shows-and-episodes/museum-musings/episode/forge-village
https://www.westfordcat.org/watch-online/public/shows-and-episodes/museum-musings/episode/forge-village-ii