Slater Mill, Pawtucket RI

Ranger Chuck Arning and World History teacher Jesse Garcia presented a slide show that highlighted the lives of workers in the Industrial Revolution. The slide show was a precursor to a field trip to the Slater Mill in Rhode Island.

Students watching the slideshow

With the help of the National Parks Services, rangers and museum guides presented a movie highlighting industrial life along the Blackstone Canal. Students were then led through two museums; Wilkinson Machine and Slater Mill. Students walked along the Blackstone Canal, observing water control methods that powered the factories. Finally, students traced the Blackstone Canal from Worcester to Providence on a giant floor map in the visitor's center.

A side view of Slater Mill

Students said:

• "We took a tour of the former mill and a house that Samuel Slater once stayed in." 
• "We looked at all [the] machines and buildings at Slater Mill." 
• "We learned more about the Industrial Revolution."
• "We looked at the mills, and watched a movie of Slater Mill before and after."
• "We toured Slater Mill and learned about its functions."
• "We walked around the first factory in Rhode Island." 
• "We saw old mills and a presentation." 
• "We followed guides and they explained how certain things are historical."

Students looking at a piece of machinery

What they learned: 

• "...how they made cotton."
• "How [the workers'] food was prepared."
• "How bad of a living [people] had."
• "How long the canal was."
• "One water wheel powered all the machines."
• "Houses were jammed with people."
• "How cotton was packaged and shipped and transported."
• "How cotton was made into thread."
• "How young kids were when they started working in the factories."
• "How young [people] died."
• "People who worked in mills got more money."
• "The Industrial Revolution promoted slavery."