Welcome to the Sprinkler Factory, an exciting place for artists in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. The Sprinkler Factory is a large complex with a rich history. It is now home to an eclectic mix of tenants: working artists in different media who find the space inspiring for jewelry making, painting, ceramics, etc.

The public is invited to join in exciting activities such as classes, music and dance.

The Sprinkler Factory is also home to a number of diverse small businesses.

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The gem of the building is the huge atrium in the center of the complex on the 2nd floor, a fantastic gallery available for exhibits, dancing and other performances.

More about the Sprinkler Factory

Located at 38 Harlow Street, off Lincoln Street, the Factory is a large complex with a rich history. Once a manufacturing plant, the expansive brick structure has high ceilings, eight foot windows, street access loading docks and wide hallways.

The Sprinkler Factory is now home to an varied group of tenants, artists who perfect their craft in media as varied as painting, ceramics, music and dance. For information on the current tenants, click here or on the "Artists/Occupants" navigation link.

The 225,000 sq. ft. building currently has space for new occupants, artists and businesses alike, and features ample off street parking.

A Brief History of the Sprinkler Factory

"During WWII, only 23 years old, Freeman was asked to go on a secret mission to Washington, D.C. The job: to find a way to put out highly inflammable fires on ships at sea. In a very short time (several weeks) Freeman invented the 'water fog nozzle' which as he is quoted, "...was spectaculary successful and 100,000,000 went into production at the Sprinkler Factory."

Shortly thereafter, he invented a hose nozzle or 'fogfoam nozzle' to fight oil fires which later became the basics for crash-rescue operations at airports around the world; still in use today. While employed at Rockwood Sprinkler factory, Freeman produced 22 inventions."

Note: These facts of the Sprinkler Factory and Howard Freeman's inventions are quoted directly from various files and audio tapes in the archives at the Worcester Historical Museum.