The complex, located at the corner of Central and Elm in West Gardner, has its origins in a chair manufacturing business established in 1826 by the Heywood brothers.

The current brick factory buildings date to the later decades of the 19th century.

Walter Heywood was an apprentice of his, and with his brother William opened their own shops in the 1820s.

Levi Heywood, another brother, built a replacement shop on the site of the present surviving factory buildings the following year.

The company suffered from competition and labor problems in the 20th century, and closed its doors in 1978.