The Demolition of the Draper Factory

The Draper Corporation located in Hopedale, Massachusetts, was once the most important manufacturer of textile power looms in the world. It's products were major drivers of the industrial revolution which began in the Blackstone River Valley region of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, US. After over 100 years, the factory ceased production in the 1970s and has been idle since. The demolition of the factory began in the spring of 2020, coinciding with the start of the pandemic. It took over 100 years. A collection of stills from the demolition can be seen in the stills portfolio section of this website. The industrial revolution resulted in the creation of enormous wealth for some, but relied for some of its raw materials on the subjugation of others. The fate of the Draper factory is a reminder of the hazards of boom and bust industrial development for individuals, their communities and their environment.