Editing Millbury, Massachusetts (section)

==History==
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Millbury was first settled in 1716. It was originally known as the Second or North Parish of [[Sutton, Massachusetts|Sutton]]. Because traveling from one part of the town to the other for meetings was time-consuming, inhabitants of the North Parish petitioned the [[Massachusetts General Court]] to split Sutton. North Parish became Millbury on June 11, 1813, by way of an act of incorporation.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=3cnVnNktrDIC&dq=act+of+incorporation+1813+millbury&pg=RA3-PA150 History of the Town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1704 to 1876]</ref> Its name derived from its long history as a [[Mill town#United States|mill town]]. The [[Blackstone River]] flows through the town, and during the [[Industrial Revolution]], provided [[water power]] to its many [[textile]] [[watermill|mills]] and [[factory|factories]]. During this time, the inventor [[William Crompton (inventor)|William Crompton]] worked in Millbury.

Millbury's industrial history begins in the early eighteenth century, not long after the area's settlement. In 1735, John Singletary began operating a mill on Singletary Brook, a stream flowing out of Singletary Lake. Around 1753, Singletary built the S & D Spinning Mill, which is still in operation, making it one of the oldest continuously operated mills in the [[United States]]. The mill is featured on the Town Seal. The mill also makes the inner parts of the [[Rawlings (company)|Rawlings]] baseballs for use in [[Major League Baseball]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegram.com/article/20150711/sports/150719821|title=Major league baseballs get start in Millbury|last=Ballou|first=Bill|date=July 12, 2015|website=telegram.com|language=en|access-date=March 13, 2019}}</ref>

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, after learning the trade of [[firearm]]s production from their father, [[Asa Waters]] and his brother, Elijah, purchased land along the Blackstone River and built mills producing goods such as [[gun]]s, [[scythe]]s, and [[sawmill]] equipment. In 1808, they erected an [[armory (military)|armory]], which was successful until forced to close suddenly in 1841. It reopened at the start of the [[American Civil War]] in 1861. With the wealth received from the industry, Asa began construction of the [[Asa Waters Mansion]] in 1826. Designed by local architect [[Asher Benjamin]], it was completed six years later.

[[Louise Taft]], mother of [[List of presidents of the United States|United States President]] [[William Howard Taft]], resided in Millbury for many years, and President Taft spent many summer vacations in the town during his youth. He visited his aunt, Delia C. Torrey, during his presidency to celebrate Millbury's [[centennial]]. The Torrey House, where President Taft stayed, is now commonly called the Taft House.

In 1824, the [[mineral]] called [[Vermiculite]] was first found in Millbury.

Due to the [[Flood Control Act of 1944]], the [[Worcester Flood Diversion Channel]] was constructed in that year within Millbury, as well as nearby [[Auburn, Massachusetts|Auburn]].

In the early 1970s, Millbury experienced a number of large [[fires]]. The [[town hall]] burned down, followed by the Union School. A [[propane]] plant near [[Massachusetts Route 146|Route 146]] exploded, causing considerable damage and making nationwide news.

In 2004, Millbury was designated as a [[Preserve America]] community.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.achp.gov/preserve-america/community/millbury-massachusetts | title=Millbury, Massachusetts &#124; Advisory Council on Historic Preservation }}</ref>