Wilton Armetale ServeWare History

Wilton Armetale Serveware began in 1893 innovelties were most popular. Wilton Brass
Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. Created by the WiltonCompany eventually changed its name to Wilton
family, it started as Susquehanna Castings, aArmetale after 1989.
foundry located on the Susquehanna River. TheWilton Armetale serveware items are traditionally
Wilton family lime kiln business, Stacy Wilton Limemade using old fashioned methods of foundry
Company operated just across the street. Ironsand molding. While the times have certainly
ore deposits found in the river were used by thechanged since the late 1800s, the company
foundry to create new products that werecombines traditional methods with modern
available to the entire region.manufacturing and quality control measures. The
Working in conjunction with Wilton Products,process of sand molding is intricate and requires
Susquehanna Castings produced novelty ironsand molds to be filled with Armetale metal, left
products that were painted and decorated for theto cool and then hand-finished by the foundry
industry and consumers. The company gainedmen and women at work in Lancaster County,
popularity during the 1940s and 1950s with itemsPennsylvania. With this type of method in place
like bottle openers, candle holders, trivets andthe result is that each Wilton Armetale product is
mechanical banks. In the mid-1960s, Susquehannatruly one of a kind.
Castings merged to become the Wilton BrassAll of the metal used by Wilton Armetale is
Company.specially made from a non-toxic aluminum based
In 1963 the company began working with a newalloy. Products are hand crafted and all metals
metal developed from an aluminum based alloyconform to the strict guidelines for safe handling
which they named 'Armetale'. After a few yearsof food and beverages as outlined by the U.S.
the 'Armetale' brand showed itself as much moreFood and Drug Administration. Armetale products
popular amongst consumers than brass. Wallare made from solid metal with no extra coatings.
decorations, garden plaques and other household