Roger A. Putney & Son

The Putney family has been manufacturing wood turnings in Royalston for three generations. The wood turnings are used in basket handles, bucket bails, and pipe stems. The turnings are made of birch and maple, which are harvested locally, most often on their own land. Today, David Putney still works the mill with his son Jim. Their wives often pitch in, and even Jim's young daughters help out to earn money for family vacations.

When the Putney mill burned down in 1985, as all mills seem to eventually, David Putney was crushed. He had been working in the same mill since he was a child. His father Roger had bought the mill in 1932, anxious to fill out his days, which were only partially taken up by his Depression-era job at the General Box Company. David remembers the days when the mill was powered by water and lit with kerosene lamps.

Fortunately, the Putney family had good neighbors to help them rebuild. They had helped Tom Musco rebuild his own shop when it was struck by lightning and burned, and Tom returned the favor, helping to frame the new shop. Walt Hubbard helped saw the wood for the building, and within a few months, the business was up and running again. Today, they are going strong, making the same quality product that they have since 1932!

Roger A. Putney
172 North Fitzwilliam Road
Royalston, MA 01368

Phone: (978) 249-3379