Historic Ames Privilege is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Established in 1829, the Ames Manufacturing Company, also known as Ames Sword Company, produced Civil War swords and cannons. The water rights originally given to the Ames family for the mill were called "The Ames Privilege." In 1853, when the mill began bronze casting, the 1st statue cast for exhibition was of Benjamin Franklin located in front of Boston City Hall. Also cast at Ames were the Minuteman statue in Concord and the bronze doors of the east and west wings at the Capital Building in Washington, DC.