Repair Cart

_DSC0754_DxOpsnx 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

The Silk Mill was a factory filled with row after row of machinery. That translated to ongoing repair and maintenance work to keep the factory humming. There are at least two of these mechanic's repair carts left sitting idle since the factory closed in 1957. The tools are still at the ready, waiting for the mechanic who never returned. The grease and grime long hardened, the macinery rusted. I'm told it took 300 employees to operate the mill in it's peak. I wonder how many repair workers there were? A good portion of the lower floor was dedicated to a complete machine shop and spare part storage facility.

Wet Floor

0604-611hdr ps nx 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Another image from the old silk mill. I was drawn to the reflections in the standing water on the floor from the leaky roof.

I'm slowly working my way through the files from my last visit just before Christmas. I have been asked to submit several images for a book project, the purpose of which is to help raise funds to preserve the old building. Time will tell if the preservation or salvage will prevail.

Industrial Labor

DSC_8864_DxO ps 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Today's image wage captured by Donna, my wife, at the mill. She made a double exposure in camera of a bin of spools and an unemployment notice from the State of Maryland that was posted at the factory. Way to go babe! I seem to recall that the notice was dated circa late 1940's? I thought this represents the relationship between industry and labor. When the factory closed, this was information those employees no doubt needed. The history of machines and people still hangs thick in the air every I enter this fascinating time capsule.

Bathroom Sinks

_DSC0531-0538HDR nik pl nx crop 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

On my last trip to the Silk Mill, I "discovered" the woman's bathroom off the upper floor. In previous trips this room was not accessible as it was hidden from view by tarps placed to divert water from one of the many roof leaks. The floor drain seen here in the lower left corner is wet due to this effort by the owner to divert the water out of the main area of the building. After 5 hours of shooting it was a bit torturous to enter this room considering there are no longer working facilities in the old factory.