Quincy Quarry and Granite Workers Museum
Virtual Museum
The photos in the virtual museum are artifacts related to the granite industry. Artifacts have been donated by
members and non members who wish to see this history preserved for future generations. The museum is always looking to acquire any artifacts, memorabilia or information on the granite industry and also individuals who worked in the industry. Check back frequently, we will be adding new artifacts on an ongoing basis.
members and non members who wish to see this history preserved for future generations. The museum is always looking to acquire any artifacts, memorabilia or information on the granite industry and also individuals who worked in the industry. Check back frequently, we will be adding new artifacts on an ongoing basis.
Granite Manufacturers' Sample Polished Balls
Polished balls of Quincy granite. The granite ball on the right is Medium Quincy Granite. Quincy Granite came in shades of light, medium and dark. The ball on the left is Braintree pink. Braintree pink was quarried along the Quincy, Braintree line where a vein of pinkish granite was discovered. The polished balls were salesmen samples of Peter Guisippini and donated by Emily and Marie Marinelli in memory of their grandfather Peter.
Replica Memorial Statue
A scale model statue of a granite worker that stands in Shea Memorial Park, West Quincy. The statue is dedicated to all granite workers who worked in the industry giving Quincy the title"The Granite City". This sculpture stands 16" high and is made of basswood and coated with a special type of paint to give the texture of granite. Sculptured and donated by Leo DePolo of Quincy.
Commemorative Coins
Two first railroad commemorative coins with the inscription "Quincy Home of the Granite Industry and
First Commercial Railroad 1826". The coins also have imprinted on them the rail car designed by Gridley Bryant to transport granite from the Bunker Hill quarry to the Neponset River. Coins donated by both Bill Michaud and John Zanardelli. The Museum is looking for infomation on this coin. If anyone has information on when the coin was made and for what event it was made for please contactl the Museum at quincyquarrymuseum.net or 617 472 1322
First Commercial Railroad 1826". The coins also have imprinted on them the rail car designed by Gridley Bryant to transport granite from the Bunker Hill quarry to the Neponset River. Coins donated by both Bill Michaud and John Zanardelli. The Museum is looking for infomation on this coin. If anyone has information on when the coin was made and for what event it was made for please contactl the Museum at quincyquarrymuseum.net or 617 472 1322
Pneumatic Star Drill Bit
Early era pneumatic star drill bit used to drill blasting holes in the quarrying operations. This star drill was
capable of drilling a 2 1/2" blasting hole to be used with black powder or later with dynamite to split large pieces of granite from the bedrock seams. The drill bit was found in the Swingle's Quarry area and donated by Tom Bonomi
of Quincy.
capable of drilling a 2 1/2" blasting hole to be used with black powder or later with dynamite to split large pieces of granite from the bedrock seams. The drill bit was found in the Swingle's Quarry area and donated by Tom Bonomi
of Quincy.
Keller Pneumatic Valveless Tool and associated tools
The pneumatic hammer was designed and patterned in 1885 by James Mc Coy of Brooklyn, NY. The pneumatic hammer produced a continuous sequence of impacts allowing a rapid removal of granite. This model was used by the stone cutter to do the more intricate carving on stone. The handheld pneumatic hammer and tools were donated by Tom Bonomi.
Swingle's Quarry Bridge Plaque
Original cast iron bridge plaque from the bridge that spanned a portion of the J.S. Swingle quarry. The bridge was built in 1904 after the Granite Railway Company quarried an extra dark vain of granite to the property
line with Swingle cutting off access by Swingle to the northeast section of his quarry. The bridge was used to transport stone and equipment supporting the quarry operation. The plaque was donated by Bernie and Virginia Sweeney of Quincy in memory of his father Bernard Sweeney.
line with Swingle cutting off access by Swingle to the northeast section of his quarry. The bridge was used to transport stone and equipment supporting the quarry operation. The plaque was donated by Bernie and Virginia Sweeney of Quincy in memory of his father Bernard Sweeney.
Salesman's Design Case
The salesman's design case was used by representatives of granite companies to show prospective buyers the company's products and design capabilities. Case included stone samples, both polished and unpolished, photos of over 100 standard designs available, representing low and medium priced stone work, estimating booklet, and miscellaneous drawing instruments for preliminary sketching of custom designs. The case belonged to Andrew Nisula owner of Sampo Granite Company. The case was donated by Paul and Paula Nisula in memory of their grandfathers, Andrew Nisula and Arthur Lindberg.
Granite Cutter's Tool Box
Tool box and tools of Angelo Cianfarani donated by his son, Angelo. This tool box and these stonecutting tools are an example of a typical stonecutter's tool box. Each stonecutter would acquire tools that he would use in his specialty in the granite industry. Each tool box would contain a variety of chisels for specific stonecutting operations. It would also contain many types and hammer sizes. Other items related to the stonecutting operation that he would need would include a square, straight edge, level, folding rule, chalk and line, glasses, and a set of winding blocks. A stonecutter would often work for many different granite manufacturers. When work slowed down in one shed he would be employed by another who had work. The tool box allowed the transport of his tools to his place of employment. The acquisition of this wooden tool box in it's excellent condition is a museum quality artifact to display.
