Welcome to Dennison Manufacturing Co. – Book Reviews

Dennison-book-cover-front

 Framingham Town Historian, Frederic A. Wallace 

November 24, 2015

Patricia Lavin’s and Laura Stagliola’s recently published book, “Welcome to the Dennison Manufacturing Company, Its History, Products, Programs and People” is a real treasure.  Richly illustrated, it tells the story of one of America’s great corporations, built in the true spirit of American exceptionalism – a company that flourished for almost one hundred and fifty years through ups and downs in the economy, and decades of technological growth, innovation, and change.

About the same time I began to read the book, I received a letter from a family member.  It was October and on the back of the envelope were three small decorative seals in orange and black, emblematic of Halloween, a pumpkin, a black cat and a bat!  Such products were first introduced in the early 1900’s by none other than Dennison. For me it was a poignant reminder of how deeply the Dennison legacy is embedded in American culture.  From the opening page, the reader is met with delightful color illustrations, gathered from the archival materials at the Framingham History Center.  The story of the Dennison family through several generations, from the founding father, Aaron to Henry S., who was a trusted advisor to President Roosevelt during the great depression, is a truly American story.

The combination of Ms. Lavin’s easy to read, narrative style of writing, coupled with Ms. Stagliola’s well chosen illustrations, provide the reader with a clear picture of the evolution of this iconic American corporation.  A good read all around!

 Purchase “WELCOME to Dennison Manufacturing Co.” here


Framingham History Center Librarian, Martha Davidson

For over a century the Dennison Manufacturing Company was the chief supplier of paper specialties in the United States and the world and for ninety years its manufacturing headquarters were in Framingham, Massachusetts.  As the leading employer in the region Dennison was important to thousands of families, and the enlightened labor practices of its president, Henry S. Dennison, his U.S. government appointments and numerous lectures and books, made him a nationally recognized industrial figure.

In the vividly illustrated book Welcome to Dennison, its History, Products, Programs, and People, authors Patricia Lavin and Laura Stagliola tell the Dennison story, from its beginnings in Maine when shoemaker Aaron Dennison first made cardboard jewelry boxes, to the death of his great grandson Henry S. in 1952.  It is a story of remarkable growth and ingenuity.  Andrew’s son Eliphalet Whorf Dennison had an eye for the unmet needs of businesses for good quality tags and labels and he was able to employ engineers to design machines to manufacture complicated shapes and structures.  Engineering expertise and inventiveness characterized the business until 1990 when it merged with Avery International Corp. and ceased to exist as an independent entity.

The book captures in full color the variety of products available to businesses and families, from merchandise tags and mailing labels to gift wrap, paper dolls and crepe paper costumes and flowers.  It also recounts the personnel policies that made Dennison famous – the first private unemployment fund in the United States, a system for rewarding employee suggestions, a credit union, and amenities such as an in-plant library, medical and dental clinics, and separate club houses for male and female employees.  The monthly Round Robin kept all members of the Dennison “family” informed of developments in the business.

The book was made possible because of the extensive Dennison archive that was moved to California with the Avery Dennison Corporation but returned to Framingham in 2013.  Much of the collection is housed at the Framingham History Center and much of it is still to be explored.  The authors hope that this book will inspire researchers to dig deeper into the archives and further develop the story of Dennison and its people from the 1840s through the many accomplishments of the later twentieth century.

 Purchase “WELCOME to Dennison Manufacturing Co.” here


Framingham History Center volunteer, Libby Franck

January 2016

A local woman single-handedly rescued the archives of the Dennison Company from a warehouse in California.  These treasures were returned to Framingham where a group of enthusiasts explored, catalogued and preserved these photos and documents for the community.

The text goes back to the time when Framingham was known as Tag Town starting in 1897. The warm smile of the girl on the cover takes you into her world of work and play and personal growth.

This  inviting book introduces you to  Dennnison products and the people who made them.  Photos of the work force in the factory and at play – sports teams, parades, participation in theatre and orchestra. You can explore the artistry of the advertising, the dedication of the sales force, the ingenuity of the instruction in crafting with live classes, magazines and on the radio.

This was a simpler time with a prosperous workforce supported by health professionals on staff, with an  in-house bank with savings plans, and educational and recreational opportunities for all employees.

This is a book you want on your book shelf to browse through again and again to fully appreciated the artistry of the products and the stories of the people.

 Purchase “WELCOME to Dennison Manufacturing Co.” here