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Once it's quarried and processed, what is marble used for?
Once it's quarried and processed, what is marble used for?
Though marble had been used on small and large scales since ancient times, the initial use of marble in the United States was confined to small scale ornament such as gravestones, steps, foundations, and fireplace details in a time before quarrying operations were made large-scale. Little Pictures of A Big Industry describes the myth of the Vermont marble industry's beginning; an unnamed person split the first slab of marble from visible bedrock and crafted a fireplace hearth. Marble's pleasing appearance and ability to withstand high temperatures made it appealing as fireplace material in those early days.
Different products were demanded of the marble industry over different periods of time in response to a complex array of factors; what technology made the production of certain products feasible and profitable, what architectural trends swept the nation at the time, and what power the company and its figureheads had over transportation as well as federal contracts.
Marble used for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
In addition to those uses listed above, marble and limestone today are sought after for the use of crushed stone in everyday products. Crushed marble is used in anti-acids, toothpaste, gum, and many foods that have calcium added. According to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's page on marble, crushed stone remains valuable in terms of Vermont's mineral commodities.
Stephen A. Schwarzman building of the New York Public Library constructed of Vermont marble from Dorset in 1902
Structures and Monuments Made from Vermont Stone
Structures and Monuments Made from Vermont Stone
Click here to see lists of the structures and monuments in which Vermont stone was used in the United States and beyond; including those made from marble.
See Uses of Marble as well as Limestone Uses and Crushed Stone to better understand marble's uses beyond those listed above.
References
Pluskota, Kaitlin. To Build on the Past: A Foundational Database of the Vermont Marble Company Archives. (Masters Thesis). University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 2015.
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