The Industrial Archives & Library in Bethlehem has received a substantial donation of approximately 320 cubic feet of industrial records, photographs, and engineering drawings from NSH USA Corporation. This significant contribution enhances the institution’s collection of American manufacturing history, particularly highlighting the legacy of the Niles Tool Works, a company established in 1833.
The donation encompasses detailed engineering drawings that span from the late 19th century through World War II. NSH USA, based in Albany, New York, specializes in the manufacture of precision machine tools and automation systems. The decision to transfer these materials aligns with the company’s ongoing expansion efforts.
Stephen G. Donches, president and CEO of the Industrial Archives & Library, expressed excitement about the donation. “We are thrilled to receive this major donation,” he stated. “The NSH USA donation represents a major addition to the collections at IAL while also dovetailing with our existing strengths in steel and transportation. The Niles machines helped shape products in the steel industry, from reprofiling railroad wheels to producing rifling for guns used by the U.S. Navy.”
The collection documents the evolution of Niles machine tools, including lathes, drills, planers, and vertical boring mills that were crucial during wartime production in the early 20th century. Many of these machines continue to be operational today, according to the archives.
Eric Butler, vice president of engineering at NSH USA, emphasized the importance of finding a suitable repository for materials that are no longer necessary for the company’s current operations. “Given NSH USA’s present expansion, we needed to find a new home for some of our older drawings and photo archives. These items are no longer needed for our current operations but are a valued part of our industrial heritage,” Butler explained.
He noted that the mission of the Industrial Archives & Library—to preserve and make accessible “artifacts that don’t cast a shadow”—is in harmony with NSH USA’s objectives for the materials.
Nick Zmijewski, archivist at the Industrial Archives & Library, affirmed the importance of the donation. “This donation will further support IAL’s mission of preserving and sharing the story of American industry and innovation,” Zmijewski said. “With so many machine tools still in use today, this collection offers a valuable avenue for research.”
The donation also includes drawings from the Pond Machine Tool Co., which merged with Niles Tool Works. Established in 1910, NSH USA became part of the NSH Group and acquired the Niles Tool Works product line from Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton in 1964. The company has a longstanding history of supporting various sectors, including railways, automotive, aerospace, and defense.
The newly acquired materials will be integrated into the Industrial Archives & Library’s existing collection, which encompasses records from industries such as steel, slate quarrying, coal mining, and transportation. These resources will be available for research by historians, scholars, and the public, further enriching the understanding of American industrial heritage.
