"Ripped and cut blue-jean cloth and piles of cotton-thread factory overruns arrived at one end of the plant in trucks from the Carolinas, and fine archival water color papers and stationery came out the other end. They were truly dross into gold. Or literally, turning rags into riches" --Sandy NoyesOn Wednesday, October 1st, at noon, more than 50 visitors to the Taber Art Gallery at Holyoke Community College listened to fine art photographer Sandy Noyes speak about his photography exhibit's tribute to Parsons Paper Company Mill No. 2. Mr. Noyes explained the intricate process of capturing images throughout the mill, using strobe lights, multiple exposures and assistant camera operators.
Among the audience were many of Parsons Paper Company's final employees, Steve Hale, Mitch Moskel, Kenny Konstantinidis, and others. Steve contributed a detailed history of the company that flowed from his lips as if it were part of his being. Kenny spoke of the camaraderie with his colleagues and the committment they had to making the finest paper possible saying "When we made something, we did it well. We made the best possible paper we could make." Mitch Moskel echoed this philosophy saying "Parson's paper was guaranteed for 100 years, so if you have some of Parsons Paper, in a hundred years be sure to bring it back to Steve for a refund." To which Steve piped up "no refunds, just replacement."
Outside the gallery and across the lobby, 
the Holyoke Public Library History Room & Archive had on display artifacts that were donated by Parsons Paper Company prior to their closing in 2004. Items include 3 photographic prints from the Milan Warner Collection showing the Parsons Paper Mill #2 in its construction stage in 1880; a 1940s nurse's accident log book; paper samples; and bricks from the mill post June 9, 2008 fire.
the Holyoke Public Library History Room & Archive had on display artifacts that were donated by Parsons Paper Company prior to their closing in 2004. Items include 3 photographic prints from the Milan Warner Collection showing the Parsons Paper Mill #2 in its construction stage in 1880; a 1940s nurse's accident log book; paper samples; and bricks from the mill post June 9, 2008 fire.The project, curated by Amy Johnquest, director of the Taber Gallery, and assisted by Penni Martorell, curator of the Holyoke History Room, was a mix of fine art concerns, visual documentation, manufacturing process and social history. The exhibit display has been held over until October 29. Portions of this exhibit will then move to Holyoke Public Library in December.
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