Spotlight: Preservation Worcester

From Factory to Store to Neighborhood: Worcester's Whittall Mill Complex, 1870-2025

This Spotlight is being held in person at Assumption University, K112.

For more than 150 years, the Whittall Mill complex has been a landmark for Worcester and Central New England – and its future is brighter than ever.

After nearly 100 years as a site for large-scale carpet manufacturing, much of this South Worcester complex became a retail destination for generations of New Englanders: Rotman’s Furniture. Like the Whittall carpet company, Rotman’s is no more, but today the property thrives as a multi-use neighborhood hub – long after many newer Worcester factory, retail, and office buildings have come and gone.

In this slide presentation, Alan Petrillo explores the fascinating history of this Worcester and New England institution — including details about both the Whittall and Rotman companies and their role in the community. Along the way, he highlights the qualities of design and construction that have helped the property thrive for 150+ years – and now that the complex has been sold to Holy Cross, he considers the ways in which it can continue to serve the city for decades to come. Alan also welcomes lively discussion from WISE members who have memories of these buildings and companies!

Alan Petrillo is a docent with Preservation Worcester, an organization dedicated to protecting and sharing knowledge about the city’s buildings, neighborhoods, and history. This project includes research and rare photos from the archives of the Worcester Public Library, the Museum of Worcester, vintage newspapers and maps, and other sources. He is a professional writer/editor who has worked for research-driven organizations in the software, market research, and financial services sectors…but the history of architecture and urban development is his passion. He loves to learn about how cities became what they are, and to share what he has found.