November 25, 2002

Our speaker, Richard DANFORTH from the Slater Mill in Pawtucket, visually walked us through the historic site by the use of slides that allowed us to see the extent of the museum. It encompasses three buildings: the Sylvus Brown House, a typical dwelling of the mid to late 18th century; the Slater Mill, built in 1793; and 5the Wilkinson Mill built in 1810.

The Museum is dedicated to the history of textile manufacturing in America. The Sylvus Brown House reflects everyday life in the homes before industrialization. Women and children did the slow tedious work of cleaning and carding wool, spinning yarn and weaving cloth.

In the mill buildings the visitor can expect to see displays which illustrate the progression of textile manufacturing from a handcraft to large-scale industrial enterprise.

The Slater Mill Historic Site is located on Roosevelt Avenue in Pawtucket. The gift shop and gallery are open Monday to Sunday 9 to 5. On Saturdays there are tours from 10 to 5 and on Sundays tours are from 1 to 5. There is a puppetry exhibit now going on in the gallery. It is free to the public. For more information: call (401) 725-8638.

Taken fromThe Pawtuxet Valley Historian Volume 16, issue 4, December 2002.