2019

Date: 2019-3-7
Name: Joe Dzeda
Location: New Haven, CT

I am trying to reach the webmaster for this site. I am interested in the Sturtevant history and I am glad to have found this website.

I'm one of the people who care for the pipe organs at Yale University. The largest of these is in Woolsey Hall, the University's 2,700-seat auditorium. Built in the early years of the 20th century, Woolsey Hall was furnished with Sturtevant air-handling equipment which is still in place, and more importantly, still in regular use!

This is a large installation with three paddle-fans in the basement and two more in the attic, driven by enormous DC motors.

I was wondering if this site has anyone who might want to see this equipment first-hand? Also, it might be possible to take some video of the fans and motor still in operation, more than 115 years after they were made. You might wish to post this video on your website?

Please confirm receipt of this message, so I know that it reached the right party.

Many thanks,Joe Dzeda

2017

Date: 2017-10-21
Name: Peter Sharpen
Location: France

Sturtevant Engineering Co. Ltd. (UK)
Start: March, 1971 Finish: February, 1973
Reasons for finish: More salary

Task/Job/: Stationery clerk, worked with Transport Manager, litho printer, brochure designer and so on. Produced work for London Motor Show, various UK exhibitions, the Poznan Fair and other foreign exhibitions was published in Glass Magazine, Financial Times, and the London Standard.

I was 27 years old when I worked for Sturtevant. I went there as a stationery clerk under the Transport Manager (Albert Coe). My other job was to look after the fleet of cars to make sure they were washed and dressed and later I was asked to pick up or drive new vehicles for the Directors (another story!) Within a couple of days, he asked me if I was interested in learning how to use a new table-top Rotaprint offset-litho machine, which I was happy to learn.

The object of the machine was to cut costs in the printing of brochures and so forth. I was sent on a course at Rotaprint itself and so began my work with this machine. I have always had artistic and design skills and was soon redsigning some of the simpler works and printing them. This later developed substantially and I worked with other standard printers to produce these items. Eventually, the work became a dedicated print room and I had a lady helper. We had purchased a plate-maker I I made all the plates.

I visited the Manchester works many times, and also the foundry in Nottingham. I designed a number of advertisements and all the artwork for a number of projects. In the course of this I produced a 3' x 4' display for a central vacuum plant which was on show at a London Motor Show just after Sturtevant acquire Welbeck. Although now damaged in a flood at my house, I still have it. I also worked heavily with Letraset in my design work and produced a three-language colur display for a conference (I believe) in Holland.Since Sturtevant was alsoinvolved in plastics, along with a carpenter, Produced a large display for the Poznan Fair (I can't remember the year).

I have had adverts (my artwork) published in Glass Magazine, the London Financial Times, The London Standard newspaper.I also designed a brochure for a Cashew-nut Plant and even created a half-tone photograph (using Latratone) from an engineering drawing.

The one thing I do have (as I keep records, as far as possible) of all my work, have a complete bound book of all the brochures I have printed and designed with original artwork. This book has survived my second subsequent emigration to Australia and the return to the U.K. I now live in France in my retirement. Should you be interested further (if interested at all!). I would be happy to supply any further information.

My very best regards,
Peter K. Sharpen

2015

Date: 2015-01-18
Name: John McDonald
Email: akhetkhufu@yahoo.com
Location: New York,New York

I really enjoyed visiting your web site. My father was general manager of the division (Westinghouse) for a time in the late 50's. I remember driving out to Hyde Park on Saturday mornings when my father had work to do and he'd walk us through the work sheds. I was awestruck at the size of fan shafts I saw being milled. I often think of the great ribbons of razor sharp steel coming of the lathes and gathering in piles at the feet of the operator.

I live in New York City now, and have for the last 30 years, but on my next trip to Boston I plan to drive by the site and catch some more memories. Thank you.

2014

Date: 2014-11-27
Name: John Chunis
Email: jchunis@gmail.com
Location: Rocky Hill, CT

My name is John Chunis. I was born in Hyde Park in 1951 and grew up in a three decker across the way on Winter Street right by the bridge over the railroad tracks. I remember, as a young child, looking from the bridge (shown in the picture on your page north of the plant) at the vast factory and water tower.

My mother, Lee (Bielecki) Chunis worked at Sturtevants during WW2. I thought she said she operated a drill press in the manufacture of artillery shell casings, and perhaps the company had a contract with the US military and tooled up, like many other manufacturers during that time, to supply the war effort.

We also had a border who lived with us who worked at the plant before and after the war when Westinghouse took over. His name was Enoch Belcko but went by Ignatz. He was of Ukrainian decent and did not speak English all that well.

I appreciate your efforts in keeping this site up and the important and interesting history of the company alive.

Date: 2014-08-23
Name: Bill Rousseau
Email: bmrousseau@aol.com

Hi Vincent,

I was a young Engineer at Sturtevant from 1975-1980. I was the project leader for the first variable pitch axial fans they built and the only person from the division to ever win the Lamme scholarship. My mentor was Frank Cosentino. Are any of the engineers from that time still in contact (or Truman Netherton) ? Thanks.

Bill Rousseau

2012

Date: 2012-02-28
Name: Benjamin Sturtevant Foss III
Email: kipfoss@gmail.com
Location: Austin TX

Great site. Does anyone know if there is a way to add/subtract information from the genealogy page?

Kip Foss

Date: 2012-02-24
Name: Dick Van De Weghe
Email: Steamdick@aol.com
Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

I worked for the B F Strudevant Div. of Westinghouse from June 1947 thru April 1950 as a sales engineer. Was hired fresh out of college and attended a six month training program at the Hyde Park factory. In January 1948 was assigned to the Chicago sales office as a sales engineer. Eugene Foss was the manager of the Chicago office at that time. I still have a copy of their product catalogue which I'd like to donate to some historical organization for posterity. Let me know if someone is interested.

Date: 2012-02-12
Name: John Basilone
Email: rtoyz@aol.com
Location: Flanders,NJ USA

I found a monogram style#4 blower at my wife's uncle's saw mill in NJ. It is in good shape as it is not being used. Having learned about fans thru photo's on your site and the history of the company. I'm interested in the date this fan was manufactured.I have photo's

Date: 2012-02-07
Name: Joe Lombardi
Email: jherealty@comcast.net
Location: Readville/USA

Grew up on Readville Street,remember the whistles and our neighbors going to work each day.

Date: 2012-01-25
Name: Joe Callaway
Email: fischerhoney@att.net
Location: North Little Rock, AR 72114

We have a BF Sturtevant Speed Heater,Design 10, Size 55, Number 356657. Where can we get a replacement?

Date: 2012-01-07
Name: Sherry L. Chavez
Email: Lonewtr60@aol.com
Location: Gilberts, IL

Great Site! My landlord has a B.F. Sturtevant Monogram Fan Number 3 in a circle. W19332 Size 3 Sign 2. We need to know the year of this item, the manual still available? Please let me know either way, so I can let my landlord know as well. Thank you.

2011

Date: 2011-10-03
Name: Diane Nisavic
Email: dniz2@hotmail.com
Location: Bridgeview, IL

We have a Westinghouse Electric Fan Serial EC 8 Style 768767. 100/120 volts, 60 cycles, Amps 1.25. At the bottom of the information plate it has many different patent number, the last numbers being 444. 923. Under all the patent numbers, it states: Westinghouse Elec. & MFG. Co., Spfld, Works, Springfield, Mass. U.S.A. We would like to know what the name of the fan is, what year it was manufactured, cost of item at the time is was made, and if we could obtain parts if needed and where to purchase parts. It is in very good condition and we would like to restore it and display. I have contacted Westinghouse, but they refered me to contact you for information. Any information that you can supply to me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Diane

Date: 2011-09-14
Name: Alan McDonough
Email: alan@alpinemechanical.com
Location: Belmont, USA

Hi,
I'm trying to find air flow specs on a Sturevant Multivane Fan Design 3. This fan is currently in use exhausting a parking garage in San Francisco. I would like to keep it in use. Also does anyone know if rebuilt or new bearings are available.
Thanks

Date: 2011-09-08
Name: Bob Abell
Email: babell@live.ca
Location: Cambridge Ontario

I work at the the Galt Ontario location that was formerly Sturevant fan. We use the buildings as warehouse space and refer to them as 'Westinghouse' Check Google maps for 52 Middleton Street Cambridge Ontario, the peaked roof buildings in the northwest corner are the former Sturtevant buildings.

Date: 2011-04-21
Name: Andrew Buxton
Email: andrew.buxton@yahoo.co.uk
Location: Lewes, UK

I was interested to visit your site. I have one about cash carriers and have references to Sturtevant pneumatic tube systems.

Date: 2011-03-24
Name: Nicholas Mortensen
Email: cm480@schools.nyc.gov
Location: New York, New York

I am the building engineer at Julia Richman High School in Manhattan NY(circa 1923). I am looking for information on multivane fans as to Total CFM,5tatic Pressures etc, is there any place I can get this information.

Date: 2011-02-11
Name: Don Million
Email: djmillion@gmail.com
Location: San Jose, CA USA

I'm looking a fan curve for a Sturtevant Centerline Fan Size 237 Style SFY 5398-2.
Any help would be great. Thanks for loyal service to great old brand.

Date: 2011-01-26
Name: Jerrett Roberge
Email: jerrettr@u.washington.edu
Location: Seattle, WA USA

We have two Sturetvent Size 12 design 6 fans in one of our buildings. They are orginal from 1939 in the building and are still running fine.

Date: 2011-01-14
Name: David Higgins
Email: landdhiggins@btconnect.com
Location: London England

I was asked to remove a Sturtanvant Vacuum system to make way for new steam plant at the Palace of Westminster , Houses of Parliament. I did a search on the manufacturers name and found this site. This item of plant is a centralised vacuum system and as 150"" id pipework and travels hundreds of metres in sevearl directions.

I am asking if anyone knows of a potential purchaser either as a museum piece or working unit.

It must be one of the last of a line carrying the Sturtanvant name. It was installed in 2005. Please contact if this is of any interest and for more detail.

2010

Date: 2010-11-03
Name: Adrian Bunker
Email: adrianbunker@btinternet.com
Location: Leicester UK

I have found at my club a sturtevant NO4 turbine vacuum cleaner which i guesss is around 80 to 90 years of age can anyone please confirm the age.

Date: 2010-10-14
Name: mike spaulding
Email: mspaulding@fseinc.net
Location: cincinnati, oh

north college hill goodman elementary building still has these unit in it's facility. not sure if they are decommissioned or working, but they are still there and are looking pretty good. building constructed in 1922.

Date: 2010-08-19
Name: john lazenby
Email: lickitgd2@yahoo.com
Location: lockport IL

Yes i have a no.3 blower or fan would like to know the history of the blower and is there a market for these its in very nice shape thanks john.

Date: 2010-08-18
Name: Carlos Garcia Thermoscope Inc.
Email: teeco@flash.net
Location: south san francisco, California

We have sturtevant silantvane size 90 and 80 style P25069 and P25070 at Burlingame Intermediate School.I need info on these Fans.

Date: 2010-08-18
Name: Jerry
Email: jj.ams@verizon.net
Location: Horseheads/USA

Hello, need info on a Westinghouse industrial fan Style Buy 8544-1... 10 Hp motor... Sheaves will be measured at another time... Just need the ball park info.... Thank-you Jerry.

Date: 2010-07-25

There are some Sturtevant forced and induced draft Blowers operating till this day in a NY steam plant. They are from 1932. It is great to see the superb quality, reliability and longevity of these machines.

Date: 2010-07-11
Name: Bill McCranie
Email: craniemc@bellsouth.net
Location: Suwannee, Fl

I have jsut acquired an ALPINER wood burning stove, manufactured by BF Sturtevant Co., Boston.. does anyone know anything about this? this site has nothing in regards to stoves. Thanks.

Date: 2010-06-15
Name: Lyndon Polgreen
Email: lpolgreen@internode.on.net
Location: Australia

Hi there, i have just accuired a Sturtevant vacuum cleaner, sn27237 model 5A, this unit was on a printing press, recently wrecked, so i decided to save it.

Date: 2010-05-21
Name: Michael O'Brien
Email: michael.w.obrien@jci.com
Location: Sterling Heights, MI

Looking for info on Westinghouse Silentvane Fan Size 8018 Style DTY 3250-4.

Date: 2010-05-20
Name: E-J Ohler
Email: ej@wilsonbrinker.com
Location: Kalamazooo, MI

Great website shows a lot of time and dedication, I just ran into it looking for some data on an old fan I need to replace for a customer.

I worked with the Company as a Sales Engineer for 2 years B-4 and during the A-D aquisition. I was hired away from another ""old"" fan company Clarage Fan. As business was winding down and morale was low in 1985 I was hired away by Acme Engineering & Manufacturing Corp. to help them with their just aquired ""new"" industrial fan lines. I'm the guy with the wooden toys I made in their general company brochure in 1984/85.

Date: 2010-05-17
Name: John Bowditch
Email: jbowditch@aahom.org
Location: Saline, MI USA

This is fantastic! I never knew anyone was interested in B F Sturevant. I have two Cupola Blowers, a No.00 and a No. 2 The No. 2 is mostly restored. Years ago I had a No. 4 but I donated it to the Tannehill Iron Furnace museum in Alabama. I also had a very small Sturtevant steam engine which I used on a steam tricycle but I sold that 30 years ago. Keep up the good work!

Date: 2010-05-11
Name: Tom Sturtevant Dunn
Email: tom_dunnindallas@sbcglobal.net
Location: Dallas, USA

Very nice website!

Date: 2010-03-28
Name: james kaspar
Email: jameskaspar1@yahoo.com
Location: cleveland ohio

I have the sturtevant ohio engine out of clveland city hospital, It is the one shown on this website, named ohio engine. It turns freely and will run bt has blow by, I do not know if it is valve or piston that is not seated completly, I want to sell, Any interest email with offer.
Thanks Jim.

Date: 2010-02-20
Name: Jim Kelly
Email: psc2@flash.net
Location: Keller, TX

I worked at WSD as a Customer Order Engineer from 1977 to 1980. I worked with Larry Young and Ned Sergi. I remember others in this guest book including Don Shaw, Joe Bedard and Tom Teager. It has been a long time and it was very nostalgic reading the entries.

2009

Date: 2009-12-09
Name: Mickey Thurman
Email: mickey@techline.com
Location: Hoquiam, WA USA

We have a Sturtevant fan in our 1928 theatre here in Hoquiam. It's nice that you are keeping this historic information!

Date: 2009-11-17
Name: Richard Newby
Email: rnewby@ilstu.edu
Location: Normal, Illinois

John W. Faulkner of Cohasset testified in the 1921 trial that he learned his trade at B. F. Sturtevant's and got out of the trade about 1902. Is there a record that shows John W. Faulkner at Sturtevant? It seems to me that Faulkner must have been born in the 1880s. 1884 to 1889.

Date: 2009-11-13
Name: jim mutimer
Email: jrmutimer@comcast.net
Location: reading, pennsylvania, usa

I am the son of Adelbert Mutimer one of the sales engineers that went to war. I am also and agent for the New York Blower Co - the fan tradition is deep in the Mutimer family. I have some old pre WW2 BFS literature if your interested.

Date: 2009-10-30
Name: John Baty
Email: john@johnbaty.plus.com
Location: Cheltenham UK

As an apprentice in your Denton Works (a happy experience )it was sad to read of its closure. It gave me the basis for later CEng status in the IMech E. However good luck for the future.

Date: 2009-10-27
Name: M J BOCHROCH
Email: bochroch@msn.com,usa

I have a metal plate 1940s
7 1\2"" by 28"" very heavy.It states
B. F. STURTEVANT
BOSTON, USA.s10593
Would any one be interested in buying?
Thank YOU , MJB.

Date: 2009-10-06
Name: Ken Sturtevant
Email: Willienel71@msn.com
Location: Wittmann, AZ - USA

Formerly a Massachusetts residence. No relation(?)

Date: 2009-09-14
Name: Tony Parmeggiani
Email: t4x4no2@comcast.net
Location: Stoughton, MA"

My Dad worked here for years, he is pictured in D Bldg pic Dx14 and Dx19.

Date: 2009-08-31
Name: John Moses
Email: johnmoses@cftechnologies.com
Location: Hyde Park

Vinny, Great job, interesting history to this place. Thanks, John.

Date: 2009-08-27
NAme:Janice Sturtevant Forgette
Email: rjfjes@aol.com
Location: Stratford, CT USA

I have heard stories in the past about BF Sturtevant. I believe the BF to stand for Benjamin Franklin.

Date: 2009-07-07
Name:Wally Waysok
Email: waysok@comcast.net
Location: Orland Park, IL USA

I am looking for any and all technical information you might have available on the following fan:
B.F. Sturtevant Co. Bostan Mass.
Steel Plate Planning Mill Exhauster
No. W62025
Size - 55
Design - 4.

Date: 2009-05-30
Name: Emilio V. Holgado
Email: emil_holgado@yahoo.com
Location: Batangas Phillipines

To inquire regarding data of primary air fan in our power plant.

Date: 2009-05-23
Name:minesh shah
Email: kotyarkminesh@rediffmail.com
Location: Ahmedabad (India)

interested to know more about fan, dryer &ac system.

Date: 2009-05-03
Name: Timothy P. Hoey
Email: tim@likarr.com
Location: Milton Ma USA

Great stuff about JP.

Date: 2009-04-28
Name:Michael Goode
Email: oldstuff@sonic.net
Location: Santa Rosa Calif.

I have a Sturtevant VS-3 Steam engine in my collectionn Great little engine one of my best

Date: 2009-04-21
Name: Jim McCann
Email: jim@updatecompany.com
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota

Our company renovates old industrial buildings into office buildings. Our latest project was a forge in the 1920's. We found a giant blower in a second floor space with ""Sturtevant No. 8"" written on the case. We will probably save the motor for some kind of display as it is so interesting looking. It still spins.

Date: 2009-04-16
Name: Arthur Viola
Email: aviola@vinstech.com
Location: Salem NH

I grew up in Hyde Park and worked at Westinghouse from 78-80 with my uncles Johnny and Al.. Also my dad and all 5 of his brothers had worked there at one time or another.. Those pictures brought back fond memories of some wonderful times and fellow employees.. It was my first ""real"" job after a half-assed attempt at college... My uncle Al put in a good word with a women he knew in the ""front office"" to get me in and keep me out of trouble.. It taught me a great deal about good old fashion hard work and team work.. I still have dreams that I work there to this day..?!? I'm truly grateful for the time I spent there and fine people I got to know...

Date: 2009-04-10
Name: Dwight McGee III
Email: DMCGEE4@nycap.rr.com
Location: Acerill Park, N.Y. USA"

I own a small blacksmith forge that bears the BF Sturtevant name, Boston MA. For pictures for your archives if wanted contact me. Thank you.

Date: 2009-04-05
Name: Keith A. Christenson
Email: akloco@mtaonline.net
Location: Eagle River, Alaska

I have a VS-7 direct connected to a 15KW DC generator. It likely was acquired by the White Pass & Yukon RR around 1915 to provide electricity to the hotel in Atlin, B.C.. Do the builder records exist so that the serial number can be researched?

Date: 2009-03-17
Name: Dana Roberts
Email: Hainan1@hotmail.com
Location: Duluth, GA

I loved your site. My aunt Betty Olsen worked there many years. Her mother, my grandmother, worked there during World War II. As a child I visted the plant on one of those family open house days. I loved it. I remember and understand more. It was the inginuity, teamwork and drive of factories like Sturtevant that got us out of the Great Depression and into the success of the 1950's and 60's.--Dana, age 60.

Date: 2009-03-06
Name: zach smith
Email: zacsmith77@yahoo.com
Location: Utica, Nebraska

I am working on a remodel for the university of nebraska on a building that was first built in 1923 and on one of the fans that was demoed out i got a cast iron plate with the sturtevant name and i decided to check out the history of the company i think that it is neat that it survied in the building for so long.

Date: 2009-01-19
Name: P McDonald
Email: philm11@gmail.com
Location: Massachusetts

I was looking at a ""Westinghouse"" LCD monitor and it occurred to me to look up Sturdevant just on a whim. I worked in Readville for 6 months or so in 1963 before going into the Army. My father was a long term employee. Quite a remarkable history, Thanks.

2008

Date: 2008-12-14
Name: T. Sturtevant
Email: gitaanaa@gmail.com
Location: MA

Nice to see a family fan. :) Great historical item pics, too! Thanks for the fun site!

Date: 2008-11-10
Name: Stan Guenther
Email: stansellsall@hotmail.com
Location: st louis mo

I have a cabinet style precipitron and am trying to find info-this has a very nice wood cabinet, 4 feet tall and 30 inches wide-room unit type R39 pat # 2129783 4-18-39.

Date: 2008-07-30
Name: George E. Foss III
Email: n1pp@yahoo.com
Location: Bethlehem, NH(USA)

Great job. As the eldest son of Eugene N. Foss II, I remember a lot of the details of the site being mentioned at home

All the best, George Foss

Date: 2008-04-21
Name: Joe Bedard
Email: jlbhp@rcn.com
Location: Hyde Park,Ma. U.S.A.

Former employee.Thanks for the memories.

Date: 2008-04-08
Name: Robert Bochroch
Email: bochroch@msn.com
Location: E Hampton NY

Hi
I have a heavy metal plack, it reads
B.F. Sturtevant,
Boston,USA
s 10593
Do you know what is? it seems to be very old.

Date: 2008-03-16
Name: Paul Grass
Email: tigger2u48@aol.com
Location: Rochester, New York

What a GREAT web site to visit. As a retired toolmaker/technician I enjoy viewing photos and reading about the early years of manufacturing that made the USA the great country it is. That, of course, was before the introduction of CNC manufacturing. I recently removed a Sturtevant Boiler name plate from an item being dismantled. If anyone is interested in this item I will supply photos, upon request, at my e-mail address.

Date: 2008-03-13
Name: Chris Wright
Email: clwright95@hotmail.com
Location: Sturtevant, WI USA

It's nice to see the history behind our village's name
Thank you,
Chris
Trustee Village of Sturtevant

2007

Date: 2007-11-19
Name: Nick Karalexis
Email: nkaralexis@adelphia.net
Location: Brea, CA, USA

I grew up in Hyde Park in the the neighborhood known as ""Sunnyside"", which overlooked Readville and offered a wonderful view of the Blue Hills Reservation. Prominent in the view was the Westinghouse factory. I spent many hot summer evenings with my bedroom window open looking out at the factory and listening to the sounds of what I imagine were giant metal stamping machines sending sounds reverberating throughout Readville.

As a child I fished in the ""Mill Pond"" adjacent to the plant and would sell my catch-of-the-day to Westinghouse workers on their way home. Thanks for helping me re-live so many great memories. Well done.

Date: 2007-10-24
Name: Rick MacDonald
Email: aam@att.net
Location: Halifax, MA

I work for the court facilities bureau in massachusetts i'm one of the lead hvac technicians and in one of the court houses in lowell, ma. tucked away in the basement is on of your first steam egine heating units. i was wondering if you had any info on when it was installed and any operation manuals. i did take pitchers of it if you would like to see them e-mail me and ill send them to you if it would help on identifying it. i couldt find any numbers on it. my address is aam@att.net. thank you rick macdonald.

Date: 2007-10-03
Name: Heather Wilkinson Rojo
Email: vrojo@comcast.net
Location: Londonderry, New Hampshire

I found your website when I googled ""Sturtevant aeroplane."" I was working on my family tree online, and I found a World War II Draft registration of a family member, Elmer Walter Wilkinson, born in Groveton, NH in 1885. On his draft registration it stated that he lived in Brighton, Mass and worked as a mechanical ""draughtsman"" at the Sturvevant Aeroplane Co in Boston. I didn't know what that was, so I used Google and found your site. It is very interesting. I don't know anymore about him, but I found him in the Lynnfield, Mass city directory in 1942, retired. Do you have any information on former employees?

Date: 2007-08-07
Name: Dixon Sturtevant
Location: Schaumburg/USA

Nicely done site. Good story.

Date: 2007-07-25
Name: Jean Lalonde
Email: libb2@bellnet.ca
Location: Montreal Canada

Need CFM and SP
Sturtevant Silentvane fan, Serial # 37328, size 125, design 7, rpm 1165
Please help
Regards.
Jean Lalonde, P.Eng.
Libby Engineering Limited

Date: 2007-05-07
Name: Emil Butterworth
Email: callahan@mountbakertheatre.com
Location: Bellingham, WA

I work at the Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham, WA, where we have a giant BF Sturtevant Air Washer (G-type, serial # 13396) and a multivane fan (size 10, Design 3, Serial #5629). Next year it'll be no more, as the theatre will undergo a hvac renovation. It's served us for 80 years and I doubt the new stuff will last a tenth of that time.

Date: 2007-03-05
Name: Tom Henchcliffe
Email: thenchcliffe@hotmail.com
Location: Washington DC

Please help, I have a Design 5, Size 90 No.298231 fan being used for exhaust in a bldg the owner wants to refurbish can any body tell me how much air cfm's it will move? Thanks

Date: 2007-02-28
Name: pete reynolds
Email: peterpilot@gmail.com
Location: sunapee, nh

Great site, I have a pair of 13 foot sea sleds and what I believe to be the log book of the navy sea sled powered by the Sturtevant D-4s, I have the serial numbers and would like to see if you have any records to help me out. Thanks. Pete

Date: 2007-02-16
Name: Malcolm Mitchell
Email: m.mitchell@pagepark.co.uk
Location: Glasgow, Scotland

I have sent this extract by email to vtoccojr@aol.com with illustrations. I hope I can get a reply. I haven't delved very deep into your website yet but haven't found what I want. It looks good thus far.
Dear Sirs

We are the consultant Architects for a refurbishment project at the Glasgow School of Art. The Art Nouveau building is one of the most important 20th Century British buildings designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It is currently under consideration for World Heritage status.

The main goal of the project is to enhance visitor experience and a particular aspect of the proposals is to open a window into the original 1904-07 Sturtevant centrifugal fans which remain intact and in their original condition. I attach a PDF copy of our proposed drawing for your information. Until recently the fans were operational and could be turned with an electric motor. The original steam drivers were removed in the distant past but we have no records of their type or arrangement.

Our mechanical Engineers emailed you in February last year (copy attached below with photos) but unfortunately they received no reply.

Another aspect of the project is to produce interpretative information/panels on the history, the context and the actual mechanics of the system. Recent research suggests that this installation is one of the earliest 'Air conditioning system' in the UK. It incorporated pre-heating from a forest of heating coils above and included water moistened hair matting at the air intact louvres.

We are thrilled that the company who installed this historical system is still in business and we hope you may have relevant archival material that would add value to our proposed visitor attraction. We are fortunate that most parts of the original system remains in place including an array of gear and driving wheels and one of the original leather belts. We are particularly interested in identifying which parts of the original system is missing. We have collected quite a bit of useful information which we would be pleased to share with you.

If you are interested in engaging in this fascinating project we would love to hear from you.

Regards

Malcolm Mitchell"

2006

Date: 2006-11-15
Name: timothy springsteen
Email: sinkroad@aol.com
Location: dowagiac mi.

I have a type A forge.

Date: 2006-10-25
Name: F.Tepper
Email: f.tepper@kh-engineering.nl
Location: Schiedam, the Netherlands

Came by accident on this site. My compliments. Excellent organised and very interesting.

Date: 2006-09-25
Name: David J. Sturtevant
Email: david_sturtevant@hotmail.com
Location: West Chester, Chester County, PA

Lived as a child in Groton, MA - NW of Boston and S of Nashua, NH.

Date: 2006-09-24
Name: Bob Thomas
Email: deejay_99_99_99@yahoo.com
Location: Phillips, Maine

Wonderful website.Never realized that B.F. was so talented. Guess I'll have to get to Hyde Park one of these days.Many thanks again to Vincent who's been so helpful. B.F. was my G.G. Grandfather.Any cousins feel free to say Hi.
Bob"

Date: 2006-07-31
Name: Bill Rogers
Email: gadgetman12087@yahoo.com
Location: NYS

Very nice site with much history and information on well built products of the past.
I am a old machinery nut and have a industrial blower made by Sturtevant. I always try to research history of machinery in my collection.

Date: 2006-05-15
Name: Frank D. Kirby
Email: frank@fkirbyesq.com
Location: Rocky Hill, Ct. 06067

I am the last outside director of United Shoe Machinery Corporation ( now USM ). I was amazed to learn that BS started out making shoe machinery. I'd love to buy us lunch!

Date: 2006-04-22
Name: Ronnie A. Sturdevant
Email: iowawoi@yahoo.com
Location: Kansas City, Mo.

I was quite impressed with B.F. Sturtevants accomplishments!!

Date: 2006-04-17
Name: Josie Hicks
Email: josiehicks@hushmail.com
Location: Alabama, USA

I will tell all my friends about your site. I like it alot.

Date: 2006-04-10
Name: Michael Centauro
Email: anthmik@yahoo.com
Location: USA

I have a copy of your book The Eighth Wonder and would like to know for the record who actually wrote the book as there is no author listed.

2005

Date: 2005-10-14
Name: David Howden Hume
Email: david.hume1@virgin.net
Location: Helen's Bay, Northern Ireland

Looking up history of B.F. Sturtevant as he was a contemporary in time with my great-great uncle, James Howden, founder of the Howden hot air forced draugh system, who started in business as an engineer in 1854.

Date: 2005-09-29
Name: Jennifer Sturtevant
Email: allyourdreamsaremade@hotmail.com
Location: Sydney, Australia

Good to see the family hard at work in America.

Date: 2005-09-26
Name: Robert sturtevant
Email: csturtevant@tampabay.rr.com
Location: wesley chapel,fl / usa

Just checking different things on the web with the same last name as mine.

Date: 2005-07-22
Name: George Olson
Email: gnolson@hotmail.com
Location: Exeter, NH

I have a 7"" by 9"" photo titled ""New Plant BF. Sturtevant Co. Lmt'd"" ""Hyde Park Massechusetts, USA"" ""Construction Gang July 1902"" the mounting board identifies W. F. Pinkham, Superintendent and John E. Savage, Civil Engineer. the photo is of some 40 men posing with transits in front of a wooden building. Do you have any interest in this.

Date: 2005-05-08
Name: Will Foss
Email: theuniversalremonster@hotmail.com
Location: Ingleside, Texas, USA

Dear webmaster,
I am a descendent of Mr. Sturtevant through way of Benjamin Sturtevant Foss Sr. My father is Benjamin Sturtevant Foss III and my brother is BSF IV.


I was sitting with my friend and I was trying to make her guess my middlename, when i noticed your site had me down as William Foss, and when i clicked on it i was the daughter of Benjamin S. Foss III.

My birthname is Will Fender Foss, not William. would I have to fax you my birth certificate? And the daughter part is self explanitory.

E-mail me for further information.

Regards.

Will F. Foss

Date: 2005-03-23
Name: prof. richard sturtervant
Location: granby,usa

great

Date: 2005-03-22
Name: Kelly Sturtevant
Email: tykell@alltel.net
Location: Geneva, Ohio

I was looking for Sturtevant's on the east coast and came up with your site. I find it very interesting

Date: 2005-03-14
Name: Myra Garner
Email: gojaguars2@aol.com
Location: Jacksonville, Fl.

My g grandmother was a SturDevant. Just checking the website. It was really well done, I enjoyed it.Thanks for sharing.

Date: 2005-03-08
Name: Juanita M. Sturdevant Bisnett
Email: bnb@pennswoods.net
Location: Smethport USA

Very interesting!! I had never read this before.

Date: 2005-02-27
Name: Chuck Hamer
Email: crhhamer22@msn.com
Location: Oakland City

This site was very helpfull. researching an old Sturtevant blower I have. Thank You Chuck Hamer

Date: 2005-02-07
Email: Katherine SM Ritter
Email: keedleritter@aol.com
Location: Prospect, KY USA

To whom it may concern,
My name is Katherine Sturtevant McClintock Ritter and I am Phoebe Creel's grandaughter. (Ella S. Kellen line). I would like to request that my name as well as that of my late mother's be added to your decendants list. My mother's name was Sally Sturtevant Sartor Ritter. Thank you for your assistance.

Katherine Ritter

Date: 2005-02-04
Name: Jim Sturtevant
Email: Flybackwards1@msn.com
Loation: USA

Wonderful website! I have been long interested in My father's family history and haave enjoyed this very much. As a ageing pilot I have particularly enjoyed the information on BFS engines, both steam and internal combustion. While in college in 1946 I applied for summer employment with Sturtevant A/C Co. of NY and have wondered many times how such an endeavor might have changed my life! Thanks again for the site and the work you have done to ensure BF's place in the history of our country. I am sure Samuel would be proud as well.

Date: 2005-02-02
Name: Mark
Email: mdtweb@shaw.ca
Location: canada

Great site, do you know where I can get my hands on a performance curves for Sturtevant/Westinghouse fans model 3045 DIDW, etc?, Thanks

2004

Date: 2004-12-20
Name: Robert Lee Hyder
Email: rhyder@mindspring.com
Location: Lake Mary, FL

I find it amazing to read about my ancestors this way. Great Site!

Date: 2004-11-29
Name: Ken Legge
Email: ken.legge@alphair.mb.ca
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada

I am currently a project coordinator for The IIF division of ALPHAIR. We currently service and manufacture new fans that are based on the American Standard: Series 106, 134, 81 and 82 as well as series 146. We also service and sell the cast iron blower that was called series 86. Any questions please contact me.

Date: 2004-11-26
Name: aryasb
Email: aryasb_gh@yahoo.comm
Location: tehran-iran

hello
I'm a university student and scholarship in the case of centrifugal fan.
I demand that you send me information in case condition design and map new centrifugal fan
tank you very match.

Date: 2004-10-28
Name: R White
Email: rwhite@marlinwhiteandsons.com
Location: ohio

a local theater has a strutevant #145 fan that is still in use. A few days ago a few of the blades broke off and the owner wants to see if it can be fixed. I was seeing if i could find any inf, when i ran across you website. if you have any drawings/ or info on who can repair these old blowers, please e-mail me. thanks.

Date: 2004-10-02
Name: JACK H. RITTER
Email: JHRITTERS@MSN.COM
Location: ALEXANDRIA,VA USA

I AM THE FORMER HUSBAND OF THE LATE SALLY STURTEVANT SARTOR, DAUGHTER OF PHOBE CREEL WHICH IS LISTED IN YOUR GENEALOGY SECTION.

Date: 2004-09-20
Name: Mike Waag
Email: waagm@keystonesteel.com
Location: Peoria, Illinois

Very nice website, great history!
What brought me here is that I was searching for parts for my Rexvane Fan, Design 3. Any help on locating parts or prints would be appreciated.

Regards
Mike Waag"

Date: 2004-08-10
Name: Benjamin Sturtevant (Kip) Foss III
Email: windyhill@cableone.net
Location: Ingleside, Tx.

Great web site. Found out things about my family that I didn't know.

Thanks for keepint the site up.

Regards,
KipFoss"

Date: 2004-05-31
Name: Robert C. Grubinskas
Email: rgrubin@msn.com
Location: Holliston, MA USA

I grew up in Readville, 1935 -1959, and have always been interested learning more about the B. F. Sturtevant Hyde Park (Readville) Factory. Thanks to the internet and sites like yours, I have been able to do so.
Congratulations on a job well done in the design and comprehensive content of your website.
Thank you also for making this information readily available.

Date: 2004-05-17
Name: Jim Moore
Email: jim.p.moore@siemens.com
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

I began my Sturtevant career in 1975 as a sales engineer located in Chicago calling many of the same customers Don Shaw mentions. I too was hired by Walter McNulty. I opened the Kansas City sales office in 1978 and I was still there in 1985 when we were sold. I enjoyed my stay at Sturtevant more than any job I have had since. The people were great.

Date: 2004-05-05
Name: Marlene Lewis
Email: globe@globeelectric.com
Location: Pittsburgh PA

Currently work for a motor repair shop. Was just asked if Sturtevant was still in business. We have a customer with one of these motors on their roof. As you know a very large 1 1/2 hp.

I think your site is wonderful.

Date: 2004-04-28
Nmae: Henry
Email: guyhenry@maga.net
Location: Lome Togo"

i love this site i don land ohhhhh

Date: 2004-04-07
Name: Tom Teager

,,,"I came to work for Westinghouse Sturtevant in 1975 as a mechanical engineer out of college, being the first professional hire by Truman Netherton after a long hiring freeze. My first project was to design and build a new Centrifugal Babbiting Machine to improve the safety and productivity of the manufacturing bearing casting operation. With the help of many skilled toolmakers(including Ralph Shields), and other great professionals including Bob Galante, Steve Thayer, Ed Bradshaw, Rocky Rockwood (my boss), I went on to have my design turned into a working machine built entirely in our own plant and tool room. After successful testing, we deployed it onto the manufacturing floor in D building where an immediate tripling in productivity occurred and more importantly, we changed from having workers handling molten lead to merely pressing a button on a machine which completely automated the process and improved quality. The machine was patented by Westinghouse in 1976 and I received the Westinghouse Special Patent Award for my design.

After achieving my MBA at night at Boston University, (paid for by Westinghouse) I was promoted to Manufacturing Engineering and Planning Manager(1979) and then to Manufacturing Operations Manager(1981) and then to Manufacturing Plant Manager in 1983. During these years, we developed and installed an automated punching machine(designed and built in our plant), state of the art rolling equipment, new larger shaft lathes, new balancing equipment, several new CNC machining centers, robotic welding equipment and processes, new inlet vane fixturing equipment, state of the art welding processes, implementation of CADD/CAM technology and much more.

Our plant became the world's best equipped and highest quality fan manufacturing facility in the industry. Sturtevant did not lose money in the 80s prior to the sale to American Davidson....on the contrary, we became a sought after facility due to a dominance in the industry. But Westinghouse, with a completely depreciated facility, saw an opportunity to gain cash through the divestiture of Sturtevant along with many businesses which did not show the potential to achieve double digit profits being demanded by the board and shareholders.

So instead of us acquiring the lower, less capable American Davidson or Buffalo Forge or Howden, the reverse became true. Not knowing what to do with the strength and capabilities of the Hyde Park facility, AD chose to sell off much of the equipment and downgrade the technology to the point that the once great facility and its workforce was only a mere shadow of its former self.

This was truly a needless shame and one that unfortunately has become commonplace in the US manufacturing landscape. I only wish I had the wisdom and the resources back then that I do today so I could have arranged an employee purchase of this business to possibly have changed its fate.

The people of Westinghouse Sturtevant from 1975 to 1985 that I had the privilege of knowing were truly a unique group of people with a diverse range of personalities and characters, but together, we were unlike any other group I have ever known. Pride, quality and loyalty to each other and the business steeped in rich history and tradition, were some of the core strengths of this company from the IAM union workers to the top management of Truman Netherton. I feel lucky that I was able to have started and ended my corporate career surrounded by these people.

Feeling powerless to stop the sale, I left Sturtevant in 1985 when it was taken over by American Davidson since I did not want to witness the destruction of this great American plant or the layoffs that were sure to come. Being disgusted with corporate behavior and vowing to never manage a company that would have to layoff workers again, I became an entrepreneur and today enjoy being the head of my own company as president of Fore Kicks Sports Complex which designs, builds and runs indoor state of the art sports centers.

I have not been back to the old plant in Hyde Park for nearly 19 years until today when I stopped by. With mixed emotions, I toured the once bustling halls and walked through the now vacant and disheveled D and F buildings where once the sounds of over 700 workers could be heard. I could just see the likes of John Spide, Fred Niethold, Mark Wilson, Sharon Monroe, Bert Cole, Dom Folco, Dick Potter, Ajit Prassad, Doug Johnson, Bernie Flynn, Will Jackson, Rich Hansen, Ed Bradshaw and all of the IAM Westinghouse employees scurrying about. I felt like I was looking at the Titanic sitting silently at the bottom of the ocean just rotting away.

It was great to run across two people in the front office from the former Westinghouse era...John Prata and Ray Zeman. Together we caught up on old memories, which I guess prompted me to write this to you tonight. I hope that it gives you a more personal insight of one person's memories of what it was like to have worked at Westinghouse Sturtevant, and the loss I think we all felt when it ceased to exist.

Sincerely,

Tom Teager
Former Westinghouse Sturtevant Manufacturing Plant Manager/Westinghouse Sturtevant employee from 1975-1985

(I'm posting this great email that Tom sent me into the guestbook because it so eloquently describes those final years of Sturtevant)"

Date: 2004-04-24
Name: Don Shaw
Location: Palm City, FL

I joined Sturtevant in 1963 in Akron Ohio Sales Office, working for Walter J McNulty. We reported to Henry Geisller, as we sold the Heavy Duty Power Plant Apparatus. I was then sent out to Chicago where Sturtevant was out of favor with not only the Power Companies, but with the large Consulting Engineers like Sargent & Lundy.

A partner at Sargent & Lundy told me that if I was good, knew what I was talking about, it would take 3 years before I got my first order since that was the average cycle between fan purchases by each partner. Sure enough, it was almost a year to the day and I got my first order from that same partner and my knowledge and honesty did the trick. Before I left there in 1974 to go to Hyde Park, I had 85% of the Midwestern market as well as customers all across the South due to the Engineers located in Chicago. Truman Netherton and Alan Shadgett brought me back to Hyde Park as the product Manager. Eventually I attended all the staff meeting with them as we became a trio trying to use Marketing to solve our internal structural problems.We turned the Division around and back to profitability, although at great personal cost. We worked 12 to 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, and felt at times as though we had airplanes strapped to our backs. I almost lost my family, but we saved a lot of jobs, at least for a while. I went on to become Sales Manager, and the Marketing Manager before we were sold out to the South Africans which was another stab in the back for those who did not have enough time to take the Westinghouse early retirement- I was short one year and lost thousands of dollars.

But I have very fond memories of the people both in the field and in the plant. I was always proud to take our customers through the plant. I too remember the Tom Teager's and his brother Bob, brilliant young men who if we had had them a few years earlier, who knows, we might have kept the old girls going longer.

Date: 2004-03-19
Name: David Waldmann
Email: dw@vfh.us
Location: Chester, VT

I am looking for specifications on a Size 45 blower with s/n 52167. It appears to have about a 21"" inlet diameter and is powered by a 30HP motor. We would like to find a chart that lists CFM capacity and HP requirements at various static pressures. Anything like that available?

Thanks!

2004-02-23, John Moses, johnmoses@cftechnologies.com
Vinnie,
Fascinating.
If you want a website link for us it is:
www.cftechnologies.com

Date: 2004-02-12
Nmae: Cindy
Email: Cynthia_gale@yahoo.com
Location: Canada

Just looking for other Sturtevants on the web. Didn't actually realize how popular of a last name it is.

Date: 2004-01-04
Name: Bob Liddell
Email: liddellr@mac.com
Location: Burke, VA

My Grandfather (Alexander Liddell, d 1941) and Uncle (William Lexner, d 1984) both worked for BFS in Hyde Park. Super history. Thanks!

2003

Date: 2003-09-14
Name: John Prata
Email: JOHNPRATA@AOL.COM

Nice work.

Date: 2003-08-24
Name: Bill Deane - Mass. Aviation Historical Society
Email: billdeane@earthlink.net
Location MA-USA
A terrific site! A visually attractive and informative ""web record"" of a company that was a leader in its field. The site reflects the extensive research and preservation work by by Vincent Tocco to tell the story of BFS's people and products. Well Done!