Brass Valley: The Fall of an American Industry

Emery “Ted” Roth will present a selection of his images of his new book  Brass Valley: The Fall of an American Industry, while he shares experiences and discoveries made while writing the book, and talks about what it means to try to find Brass Valley, a place in time that has not quite vanished.

Ansonia Copper & Brass was the last descendent of Anaconda/American Brass. It operated in historic buildings on historic property using equipment, some of which went back to the 19th century. Using 19th century techniques they made metal tube for 21st century submarines. Some of the machinery and processes used had been pioneered in these spaces before World War I. Mr. Roth’s photographs catch the the equipment in use and show the stages of production.

The book tells at least three stories. First, is the story of the last working brass mill, the men and the machinery used to cast, extrude, and process the metal. Second is the story of how Brass Valley came to be and what it was and how we changed in the process. Finally there is the story told by the pictures of the men and communities that made the Brass Valley and the mythos of the American Dream.

Q&A and book signing after.