7/27/2019 Silver in Newburyport, Lecture by David C. Walters

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Silver in Newburyport 

 The fourth in a lecture series for the Piscataqua Decorative Arts Societyis given on October 22 by David C. Walters and his title is “Silver inNewburyport: Harold E. Nock and The Towle Silversmiths. The lecture isheld in the Stoodley’s Tavern on Hancock Street, across from the TycoCenter at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH. The lecturestarts at 5:30pm, preceded by refreshments at 5pm. The cost to thegeneral public is $10.00, while members are free.

 The Newburyport area has maintained a long tradition of silverwork

dating back to William Moulton in the 17 th century. When the IndustrialRevolution put an end to the individual silversmith and his shop,Moulton’s descendants founded a company in 1882 that took advantageof new production processes. It came to be known as the TowleSilversmiths and for the next 100 years, the firm played an integral rolein the American silver industry, as well as the Newburyport community.

In 1916 Harold E. Nock (1874-1952), an experienced silversmith,accepted a position with Towle. He quickly emerged as its most gifteddesigner and would play a pivotal role in the company’s successes, wherehe developed over 25 flatware patterns and was granted close to 50

patents covering nearly ever y aspect of the industry. Yet for all of Nock’saccomplishments, he remains relatively unknown today. This lecture willprovide an introduction to the history of Towle, highlighting thecontributions of the company’s most accomplished employee. 

David Walters is a silver enthusiast interested in the history of theAmerican silver industry. He has spent the majority of his free time overthe last two years researching Towle’s place among the silver

7/27/2019 Silver in Newburyport, Lecture by David C. Walters

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manufacturers active in the 20th century and is currently working on anextensive article regarding Towle’s most prolific designer: Harold E. Nock.

David earned a master’s degree in Security Policy Studies from GeorgeWashington University in 2008 and works for the National Aeronauticsand Space Administration in Washington, DC.

 The Piscataqua Decorative Arts Society is a non-profit organization witha mission to promote original historical research resulting in publication. The primary focus is on the greater Piscataqua region of New Hampshireand Maine with connecting links to Massachusetts and beyond. For moreinformation, check the web site ( www.pdasociety) 

Above: Chest of Silver by Towle Silversmiths, courtesy of David C WaltersBelow: Harold E Nock, by permission of the Nock Family, through DavidC. Walters