Faces, machines, and voices: the fading landscape of papermaking in Holyoke, Massachusetts

The paper mill industry in Holyoke, MA, which was once considered one of the best suppliers of fine writing paper is slowly phasing-out. In the mid-19th century paper mills were abundant in Holyoke, but loss of capital resulted in the closures of most of these establishments leaving majority of the mills and tenements to decay. Sonoco and Parsons Paper Co are the only two paper mills that are still operating in Holyoke, but lack of modern equipment and funds lessen their capacity to compete against other paper mills.