18th Century New England Factory

Slater Mill Historic Site, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

"In 1793, the firm of Almy, Brown, and Slater hired local artisans and laborers to construct a wooden building suitable for manufacturing cotton thread by waterpower. Slater Mill became the first successful cotton-spinning factory in the United States. It was dedicated exclusively to the production of cotton thread until 1829, and then was continuously occupied until 1921 by various owners and renters. Through the years, Slater Mill supported many types of production and manufacture, including tools for the jewelry industry, coffin trimmings, cardboard manufacture, and bicycle sales."

www.slatermill.org/home2/history

This building contained the bell tower which announced the times that the workers should begin work and when they could leave after their 12-14 hour days.

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