Talcott Mill Transformation Nearly Complete in Vernon

VERNON, CT — The transformation of the old Talcott Brothers Mill from a crumbling eyesore all-too-visible from a busy Interstate-84 interchange to a preserved gem that links Vernon's past and present was on full display Thursday.

Amid sunshine and applause, owner Alfred Pedemonti, Mayor Daniel Champagne, project manager Laura Knott-Twine and a cast of dignitaries grabbed the ceremonial big scissors for the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony at what is now formally being called The Historic Talcott Mill, a combination of 83 "affordable" apartments and office space.

There is even a glass-enclosed display featuring what the mill — and its workers — looked like during the 1800s, an when Vernon was a mighty leader in the textile industry.

The Mill sits at 47 Main St. in the Town's Talcottville section, an area named for the Talcott brothers, who operated the mill for more than a century. The renovations have followed the theme of the era and federal historic guidelines. In addition to Pedemonti's private financing, the project has been aided by state and federal tax credits, the state Department of Economic and Community Development, the state Department of Housing, the CT Housing Financial Authority and the town of Vernon.

Department of Housing funds alone totaled $4.4 million.

Champagne and Tankerhoosen River corridor historian Jon Roe both praised the work on Thursday. Champagne remembers walking through the hallways with Pedeminti on trespassing calls in the dilapidated building.

On Thursday, he walked the halls with the owner to look at a model apartment.

The mill was built in 1869 to make a woven cloth material called "satinets," that had a sheen-like finish. From 1875 to 1906, the mill produced "Union cashmeres," used in suits and women's clothing.

Construction of the interior units should be compete over the next few months, officials said.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel