Learn, Explore, and Shop When You Visit Savage Mill

Have you ever been to Savage Mill in Maryland? Savage Mill is among the few remaining former textile mills in Maryland. It stands as a tangible legacy of the dreams and machines that drove the Industrial Revolution in this great country. Tucked away in Savage, Maryland, the sprawling complex at 8600 Foundry Street is between Washington and Baltimore in Howard County.

Today, the Historic Savage Mill is an excellent example of a 19th-century manufacturing center. Take a tour and explore the mill. You will discover that most of the floors in the mill are still intact. Also, the mill is a place where visitors can go zip-lining, grab a meal, and visit an artist at work, all in an afternoon. Read on to learn more about Savage Mill’s rich history and why it’s the perfect destination for tourists.

The Beginning

In 1809, Commodore Joshua Barney gave a piece of land on the falls of Little Patuxent as a wedding present to Caroline Nee and Nathaniel Williams. Nathaniel Williams started building what we now know as Savage Mill in early 1810, along with his brothers Amos and Cumberland. In 1816, the brothers erected what we now call the Carding Building, and they powered it with a 30-foot water wheel.

In 1822, the brothers borrowed $20,000 from John Savage, a Philadelphia merchant, to fund mill operations. The brothers named their venture the Savage Manufacturing Company and named the surrounding town after Savage.

In 1853, Mr. John Savage, Jr. and his son filed a lawsuit against the Williams brothers to settle their debt owed to John Savage, Sr., who died 18 years prior. In 1859, Nathaniel Williams put up Savage Manufacturing holdings for sale.

William H. Baldwin, Jr. purchased the estate for $42,000. By 1870, Baldwin oversaw renovations to the water source and the process of relaying power to the buildings in response to the high demand for textiles triggered by the Civil War. The mill produced materials for cannon covers, tents, and other supplies for Civil War armies. In 1881, the “Old” weave building, Tower, Spinning Building, Paymaster’s Office, and the Steam Power Plant were new editions to the mill.

Savage Mill’s Timeline (1915-1949)

From 1915 to 1923, the factory and the town of Savage saw monumental changes. In 1915, a steam-controlled electric plant erected over the river was operating. Additionally, the mill received a new weaving room. New warehouses beamed up while many bungalows sprung up around the village.

In 1947, the Savage Manufacturing Company had to end its operations. The mill’s machinery was dysfunctional and costly to restore. With an overflow of war surplus in the textile market, depressed economic times, and labor union problems, the industrial unit was no longer viable. As people could buy excess canvas goods at rock-bottom prices, synthetic fabrics had taken over the market. All these pressures and demands pushed the mill out of business. In 1948, Harry H. Heim of Santa Novelties, a producer of Christmas decorations, bought the Savage Company, including the whole factory building and residential units.

The same year Heim purchased the mill, he transformed it into one of the first Christmas Bazaars in the country. The main products manufactured were Christmas ornaments. Heim was always seen in a Santa suit while in the mill.  

As Heim acquired the facility and turned it into a Santa town, his idea was year-round Christmas gifts, but his joy was short-lived. Despite his enthusiasm and his promise of sustainability, Mr. Heim did not have enough financial capability. He eventually put Savage Mill up for sale in 1949.

Savage Mill’s Development (1950-1997)

In 1950, brothers Hyman, Ephraim, and Albert Winer bought the mill buildings and used them mainly for warehousing. In 1975, the Winer brothers tried bringing back the mill, but they were unsuccessful.

In September 1981, the first phase of restoration was complete. Jay Winer, who founded Savage Limited Partnership, oversaw the project, and he reopened the mill as a collection of specialty shops, restaurants, and antique dealers. The entire estate was later sold off piece by piece, providing the villagers and visitors with an opportunity to own land and build homes. 

The renovation of Savage Mill by four Baltimore investors commenced in 1985, while small businesses and artists began to move in. 1986 saw the grand opening of Savage Mill’s retail center to transform it into a retail-style destination, and its complete transformation concluded in 1997.

Savage Mill Experiences

Today, Savage Mill is a place that offers varied experiences. The mill has more than 90 tenants comprising a blend of retail, businesses, and offices. There is always something new to try with the multiple classes and activities available in Savage Mill. And for the shoppers who want to shop in a historical setting, Savage Mill offers a variety of shops that cover every budget and interest, including jewelry, clothes, books, collectibles, homeware, souvenirs, and technology.

• Savage Mill’s culinary scene has also been on an upward trajectory in recent years, with new eateries, like Dive Bar & Grill (between the Old Weave and Carding Buildings), popping up.
• Historic Savage Mill’s eclectic art collection includes wearable art, fiber, woodworking, ceramics, jewelry, mosaics, glass, sculptures, paintings, and photography. Even better, the HorseSpirit Arts Gallery (in the Cotton Shed Building) offers various art classes and even hosts events featuring award-winning local artists like Rana Geralis.
• Locals and tourists can try getting tattoos with Queen’s Ink (at the Old Weave Building — Level Two).
• Historic Savage Mill Manor is perfect for all occasions, and its services include receptions, ceremonies, and event planning. The charming historic mansion offers exceptional service for its customers. 
• Are you looking for thrills for your family and friends, corporate team building, or something exciting like zip-lining to do with your friends or group? Terrapin Adventures (found at the New Weave Building) can make your experience memorable.

Savage Mill weaves the attractive charm of a historical landmark and offers a memorable shopping experience and adventure.

Shopping at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC

Aside from its rich history, Savage Mill is near Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC, which has everything you need to be your top vehicle sales and auto service source. Hopefully, you found this piece informative. Is there something about Savage Mill we might have overlooked? Feel free to contact us and let us know because we’d love to make this post more informative.

Image via Flickr by thisisbossi

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