If every picture has its own story than historic photographs must speak volumes about the way we once lived. To look back in time and see things as they were is to glimpse a part of history. Once captured on film, the story is revealed. And there are many stories to be found on this web site. Some of the photographs tell the tale of two mills, the Talbot and the Faulkner. Billerica, as seen in the midst of the industrial era. Through these images we glimpse a time when mill homes won prizes for keeping the best lawns and gardens. A time when streets were dug up in order to put in the original sewage system, making way for more modern amenities. We see a world different from our own. The images depict people and events caught in the act of everyday life. Photographs tell us about history in a way words can not -- still lifes that capture the very essence of a moment, freezing it forever in time. Such stories should be preserved. This site allows me to do just that, and to share with you what has been passed on to me.

The photographs range from 1898 to the early 1900s and are part of personal collection that belonged to my late uncle, Fred A. Taylor, a resident of East Billerica. He rescued 163 prints (not originals) from the trash pile of the old Talbot Mills Library in No. Billerica before it was destroyed. Eventually, these historic gems made their way to me, a former Billerica resident. (See below).

The original photographs were captured on glass negatives by Billerica resident and photographer, Natt H. Hutchins. It is believed he was hired by the Talbot Mills when additions were being added to the original brick structure. He also shot scenes of roadwork, bridgework, and head gate construction around both mills. It is deemed most of the prints in this collection were taken by Hutchins, but a few bear the stamp by another photographer, Charles Darling of Salem Ma. Little is known about him, but his contribution, perhaps to the Talbot Mills collection, was done around the same time period with images depicting the mills, mill homes, the Talbot School, and Talbot Park. Unfortunately, only some of the prints are marked or dated.
In fact there is little information about the photographers and their work. And after an exhausted search to learn more, including copyright information, which could not be obtained, I decided to create this web site in an effort to connect with family members of the photographers, historians, or anyone who has a story to share regarding these great photographs. I would appreciate hearing from you. Please e-mail me at:sandyb@historicbillericaphotos.com Photographs tell one story - people tell another.

Note: I plan to update this site from time to time adding more images from this great collection. So please check back to step back in time. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank David D' Apice, former vice president of the Billerica Historical Society, for his expertise in helping me to name and date some of these photos.

About the creator of this site: My name is Sandy (Bennett) Bernstein. I am formerly from Billerica and now reside in Woburn, Ma. I am a freelance writer and web designer. I also love history.

Please note: Work on this site is solely for the purpose of viewing and sharing information. These images may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, distributed, published, used, or altered in any way. The copyright noted at the end of each web page is meant to protect the work as a whole; i.e. graphics and text. Work on this site is the intellectual property of the author and web designer. Actual copyright (ownership) of the photographs themselves is not known. They may or may not be in public domain.