History of Woburn Village

Like many New England towns, Woburn played significant roles in the American Revolution and the creation of our nation. Founded in the 1640s as an offshoot of nearby Charlestown, with its access to the Aberjona River and Boston to the southeast, Woburn was well-situated as an early hub for American industry and grew to become a leader in producing leather from animal skins, a process known as tanning. An artisanal practice requiring specific skills and equipment, tanning was the lifeblood of the area for centuries—well into the 1900s.  

The architecture of New England’s 19th century industrial buildings is one of simplicity and functionality: solid walls of molded brick, exposed wooden beams and natural light coming through countless glass panes gridded together with black iron. These clean, practical lines—an aesthetic of sturdiness and purpose—was our inspiration for the redevelopment design of Woburn Village.