What Is Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park?
This multi-site park protects the mills of the Blackstone River that launched America’s industrial revolution!
What Makes It Historical?
Stretching 48 miles from Worcester, Massachusetts to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the Blackstone River’s steady drop made it ideal for harnessing water power! All it needed was the right equipment, and Moses Brown, brother of John Brown, knew just how to get it. In December of 1789, he hired Samuel Slater, who had brought patented secrets with him in his immigration from England! Four years later, in 1793, the first water-powered textile mill in America opened for business, earning Mr. Slater his lifelong nickname among the Brits: Slater the Traitor!
A decade later, his little brother, John, arrived in Rhode Island, and together, they opened a second mill upriver on July 4, 1807. Around it, they designed the first mill village, called Slatersville, to house the workers, and its success showed that mills could be built anywhere there was water, from Ashton near Lincoln, to Whitinsville and Hopedale up in Massachusetts! Within 17 years, the labor force of mostly women, children, and immigrants, conducted America’s very first labor walkout, shutting down mills from May 26 to June 3, 1824 in protest of the workday increase and wage decrease!
Nowithstanding the early rise of organized labor, mills exploded up the Blackstone River! To support the over 100 mills that sprung up in this river valley, a workforce of mostly Irish immigrants dug a canal in 1825, which was replaced by the Providence and Worcester Railroad in 1847. Today, none of the mills are operating, undone by events like the Great Depression, labor unrest, and competition from cheaper sources, and in fact, many have been converted to luxury apartments! But the residue of a hundred years of industry still lingers at the bottom of the Blackstone to this day!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor!
- Donate to the Old Slater Mill Association!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
Visitor Center/Slater Mill:
- 67 Roosevelt Avenue
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Kelly House Museum:
- 1075 Lower River Rd
Lincoln, RI 02865
Ashton Village:
- 51 Front St
Cumberland, RI 02864
Slatersville Mills:
- 10 Railroad St
North Smithfield, RI 02876
When Should I Visit the Park?
Park grounds are open daily from dawn until dusk! The visitor center at Slater Mill has limited hours, though. In summer, it’s open Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM! In spring, it’s open Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM, and it’s closed all winter!
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