Our Legacy

The history of Strathmore Paper Company began on St. Patrick's Day in 1892 when its founder, Horace Moses, opened the Mittineague paper mill in West Springfield, MA. Soon after opening the first mill, Mr. Moses visited the Valley of Strathmore in Scotland. The thistle was in full bloom and the beauty of the site impressed Horace Moses so much that he started using the name and the thistle as a symbol of high quality art and printing papers.

The Strathmore brand name began to appear on our fine art papers in 1899, first with Charcoal and soon after with Bristol. The Strathmore brand quickly became known as one of the highest quality art papers used by many leading artists around the world. Strathmore has kept this reputation as a supplier of fine art paper for over a century. Today, we continue to provide artists of all levels with the ideal surface for producing beautiful works of art.

Throughout the years, leading artists such as Norman Rockwell, Andrew Wyeth and today's Heather Rooney have appeared in testimonial ads for Strathmore. They have associated their name with the Strathmore brand because it has provided them with the ideal surface for creating lasting works of art.

1892

Mittineague Paper Company opened in West Springfield MA by Horace Moses.

1893

Strathmore Drawing Board is first manufactured.

1894

Horace Moses visits the Strathmore Valley in Scotland and begins using "Strathmore Quality" and the thistle symbol on his highest quality papers.

1899

Charcoal Paper, Patent Office Board and Illustrating Board are added to the art line.

1905

Horace Moses acquires the Woronoco Paper Company and runs it as a separate company.

1911

Mittineague and Woronoco Paper Companies are consolidated and becomes the Strathmore Paper Company.

1929

Student grade papers are introduced under the banner Alexis.

1950

First pad is introduced as Alexis Drawing.

1952

Blank Greeting Cards are introduced.

1962

Strathmore is purchased by Hammermill Paper Company.

1972

The first recycled sketch pad is introduced and called Shelburne Phase II Sketch.

1974

The 300 Series is developed, Alexis becomes 400 Series and Artist 500 Series.

1986

International Paper purchases Hammermill Paper

2004

Mohawk Paper purchases Strathmore

2006

Pacon Corporation purchases Strathmore Artist Papers™

2011

The first Mixed Media paper is introduced under 300 Series and 400 Series to deliver true performance for both wet and dry media at the same time.

2012

Toned Tan and Gray Sketch Paper is introduced under 400 Series

2018

F.I.L.A. Group acquires Pacon Corporation

The symbol of the thistle may have taken on a different appearance throughout the years, but the quality of Strathmore Artist Papers has remained second to none. The choice of papers is one of the most important decisions an artist makes in determining the outcome of their work. Whether your choice of medium is watercolor, charcoal, pastel, pencil or pen and ink you can be confident that Strathmore will enhance your artistic efforts!

For lasting works of art, Strathmore is the artist's choice.