As Simonds prepared to move into the world's first controlled conditions, windowless factory in early 1939, it was decided that the new plant should be opened for the public to see. Although there had been a lot written in magazines and newspapers about the amazing new plant, the only way truly to appreciate the facility was to view it. An Open House seemed the perfect way to show off the plant and celebrate the opening of this landmark facility. The event was co-sponsored by the Industrial Affairs Committee of the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce.
The Open House was held on Saturday and Sunday, March 18th & 19th, 1939. It was a gala two-day event, and 18,000 visitors toured the new facility over that weekend. The Fitchburg Sentinel reported "For miles around a steady stream of cars poured into the area about the Simonds plant" in their April 26th edition. The company had 10,000 pamphlets printed up offering information on the plant, and these were gone well before the end of the second day!
The Open House was such a success that the company offered tours of the plant through September, by which time it was estimated that nearly 50,000 visitors from all over the country had inspected the plant. As the plant's first day of production was May 5th, for 5 months the tours showed the plant in action. Tours typically were conducted on weekdays and some evenings, with up to 500 visitors per day. The tours were led along the observation walk above the shop floor, allowing visitors to see all the various operations without disturbing the workers at their machines.
I hear there will be another Open House coming up in June. Sure do hope its as memorable!