Southbridge, Massachusetts
"The
Eye of the Commonwealth"
and birthplace of American Optical.
Claire Birtz Town seal which hangs in the Southbridge Town Hall
Council Chambers
New Dec 3, 2009 - The
Town Seal Artwork from a 1949 Document
I recently was asked if Southbridge is still the Eye of the
Commonwealth
now that AO is no longer a dominant manufacturer in Town.
Remants
of
AO still are manufacuring/distributing (Schott Fiber Optics/ Aearo /
AO Sunwear);
to my knowledge there is no other community that comes close to
being the center of Optics, and as such we are still the Eye of the
Commonwealth.
AO Zyl Frame
drawn
by Claire Birtz
See and read about Clair Birtz drawings now on permanent display at Jacob Edwards Library