Pawtucket in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Slater Mill Historic Site
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
— Rhode Island — Massachusetts —
The American Industrial Revolution began at Slater Mill. Here, in 1793, Samuel Slater, with Providence investors and Pawtucket artisans, built the first water-powered, cotton spinning factory in the United States. Beginning with this wooden mill, industrial growth spread rapidly along the Blackstone River Valley, throughout southern New England, and across the nation. Landscapes, ways of life, and economies were forever transformed.
Slater Mill Historic Site preserves and interprets America's Industrial Heritage within three historic buildings on 5˝ acres. Slater Mill houses historic textile machinery, an information desk, a theater, and a gift shop. Wilkinson Mill features an operating water wheel, a late 19th-century machine shop, and a gallery. Sylvanus Brown House, an artisan's home, represents life and work before and at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
[Stylized birds-eye view drawing of the site]
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 This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.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° 52.674′ N, 71° 22.957′ W. Marker was in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in Providence County. Marker could be reached from Roosevelt Avenue south of Leather Avenue, on the left when traveling south. 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. Old Slater Mill (here, next to this marker); A Mechanic's Life (here, next to this marker); Slater Mill (a few steps from this marker); First Successful Cotton Mill in America (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Old Slater Mill (a few steps from this marker); Wilkinson Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Wilkinson Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Milling Machines (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. National Park Service entry (Submitted on June 5, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Old Slater Mill Association. The History List website entry (Submitted on June 5, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Samuel Slater. New World Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on June 5, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Slater Mill Historic Site. Woonsocket Connection website entry (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 260 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.