Pawtucket in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Old Slater Mill
Samuel Slater (1768-1835) opened this water-powered cotton spinning factory in 1793. Slater had left England in 1789 with working knowledge of mechanical yarn-making, and in Pawtucket he discovered artisans with the skills necessary for starting the Industrial Revolution in the United States.
With the power of the Blackstone River, talented artisans to build his machinery, capital from Providence merchants, and workers willing to labor hard and long in the new factory, Slater set the mill in motion. From this beginning, industrialization spread throughout America.
[Illustrations, from left to right, read]
• Samuel Slater learned about cotton spinning technology in a water-powered English mill. He came to the United States in 1789 and, with considerable assistance, reproduced mechanized textile machines for use in the United States.
• Slater Mill was the model for a style of management called the Rhode Island System of Manufacture. Small, privately-financed mills were often managed by the owners. They employed entire families, including children, who worked long hours in mills filled with thick dust and the deafening clatter of machinery.
• Slater hired women and children to harness what was thought to be an under-employed labor force. This print of mechanical spinning machines called "mules" (right) shows both the spinning of yard and different roles of the workers.
Erected by Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and Old Slater Mill Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 41° 52.642′ N, 71° 22.972′ W. Marker was in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in Providence County. Marker is on the Slater Mill Historic Site grounds, along the raceway just south of the Wilkinson Mill. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket RI 02860, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Birthplace of American Manufacturing (here, next to this marker); Water Works (a few steps from this marker); A Family Business (a few steps from this marker); Wilkinson Mill (a few steps from this marker); Harnessing the Power of the Blackstone River (within shouting distance of this marker); Milling Machines (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Wilkinson Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Old Slater Mill (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pawtucket.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. (Submitted on June 5, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Samuel Slater: American Industrialist. (Submitted on June 5, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Samuel Slater Bio. (Submitted on June 5, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 372 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 5, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on July 11, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia.