Noble & Cooley Drum Factory Tour and Presentation
October 23, 2022 @ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for a tour and presentation of the historic factory in Granville. In 1852, master mechanic
Silas Noble began manufacturing toy drums in his kitchen. In 1854, Noble and his partner, James
Cooley (who handled the business side of their operation and whose descendants still run the
business), built a factory in Granville (the current structure dates to 1872). Taking advantage of
nearby water power (an electric generator was installed in 1915), the Noble & Cooley Drum
Company prospered. They made marching drums for the Union Army during the Civil War, but
their main business continued to be the production of toy drums. In the 1980s, the company
entered the professional drum market, producing a highly regarded single-ply solid shell snare
drum using an original steam bending machine from the nineteenth century. The factory, which
has a drum weathervane, is now also home to a museum, the Noble & Cooley Center for Historic
Preservation. Suggestion Donation is $5.00 per person.
Registration is required for this event, please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or sign up on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com/
The NCCHP museum was founded in 2007 to preserve & incorporate the rich
history of Granville and the surrounding areas. The museum is housed within the
historic buildings of the Noble & Cooley drum factory. The buildings & original
equipment at the site offer a unique opportunity to experience “Yankee
Ingenuity” as it impacted manufacturing from the mid-1800’s forward. For more
information on the NCCHP museum visit www.ncchp
