Our Story
Steeped In American heritage, Caswell-Massey was born in Newport, Rhode Island In 1752.
Our products today reflect ten generations of expertise in fine American fragrance with a longstanding dedication to naturally derived, mindfully formulated bath soaps and skincare.
America's Original
America’s Oldest Consumer Brand
Caswell-Massey, established in 1752 by Dr. William Hunter, holds the distinction of being America’s fourth-oldest continuously operating company and its oldest consumer brand. Guided by the motto “America’s Original Soap and Fragrance Company” the company's driving ethos is rooted in innovation, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance.
A Scent for America
The Birth of Number Six
Dr. Hunter would soon create a uniquely American fragrance that would gain almost instant popularity among the newly forming nation's elites: Number Six Eau de Parfum. Debuting in 1772, the new fragrance blended the freshness of citrus with the warmth of animalic notes from musk, civet, and ambergris. The resulting scent—bold yet sophisticated—resonated with the emerging American spirit.
Number Six achieved legendary status when soon-to-be first president George Washington discovered and purchased the fragrance for his personal use when visiting Newport in 1781.
Growth, Transformation, Legacy
TWENTIETH CENTURY MASTERS
In 1876, the company was christened Caswell-Massey when John Rose Caswell joined William Massey, preserving Dr. Hunter’s formulas in archives that still guide today’s creations.
THE RISE OF AMERICAN LUXURY
BELOVED BY PRESIDENTS & CELEBRITIES
Able to weather the storm of two world wars and the Great Depression, Caswell-Massey becomes widely celebrated for heirloom soaps, meticulous grooming essentials, and timeless fragrances that define refined American luxury. Celebrities and Presidents alike gravitate towards Caswell-Massey products with some of the most famous 20th century patrons including President JFK, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, Mick Jagger, Greta Garbo, and Alla Nazimova.
Stepping into the Present
A MODERN TAKE ON A HERITAGE AMERICAN BRAND
With new partnerships, stories, and modernized formulas of classic scents beloved by ten generations of customers, Caswell-Massey steps into the present bringing with it a rich heritage to pull inspiration from and forever remain "America's Original."
