Gorham Manufacturing Company

Place: Providence

Born: 1831

Death: 1967

Biography:

The Gorham Manufacturing Company was one of the largest American manufacturers of sterling and silverplate and a foundry for bronze sculpture. It was founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1831 by Jabez Gorham, a Quaker silversmith. The company initially produced small metal items such as thimbles, buttons, and buckles. In the 1840s, Gorham began to produce silverware, and by the 1850s, it had become one of the leading silver manufacturers in the United States. The company's products were known for their high quality and intricate designs, and it supplied silverware to several U.S. presidents, including Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. In addition to silverware, Gorham also produced bronze sculptures, including works by famous artists such as Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Daniel Chester French. The company's products were exhibited at numerous international expositions and won many awards. Gorham Manufacturing Company was acquired by Textron in 1967 and is now part of Lenox Corporation.