Pawtucket in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Milling Machines
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, Slater Mill Historic Site
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
David Wilkinson and his father built this mill together, finishing it in 1811. It made sense to build it next to Slater Mill. When Slater married Wilkinson's sister, Hannah, the families grew even closer and shared several ventures.
At first, Wilkinson used his water-powered mill to spin cotton into yarn. Soon, he began using the mill to build machines, including some of the first power looms. He sold this equipment to Samuel Slater and other mill owners.
David Wilkinson
Trained as a blacksmith, Wilkinson came to Pawtucket as a teenager filled with new ideas. By age 21, he had built one of the first steamboats. By 23, he had invented a screw-cutting lathe that became an industry standard.
Precision Parts
This patent shows Wilkinson's screw-cutting lathe invention. The machine cut screw threads evenly by following a reference guide.
This new process revolutionized parts manufacturing. Screws and other parts could be built precisely, every time. This changed machine building and repair. It led to a whole new level of technology.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics.
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Location. 41° 52.652′ N, 71° 22.957′ W. Marker is in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is on Slater Street just east of Roosevelt Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket RI 02860, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley, in Greater Providence, and on Narragansett Bay. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Wilkinson Mill (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Wilkinson Mill (a few steps from this marker); The Old Slater Mill (a few steps from this marker); A Family Business
Other markers no longer nearby. Waterpower (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Old Slater Mill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
