Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark
67 Roosevelt Ave
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
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Where the Industrial Revolution Was Born
Old Slater Mill, built in 1793, was the first cotton spinning factory in the United States. As an apprentice in England, Samuel Slater gained a thorough knowledge of cotton manufacturing. He brought that expertise to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he established one of the first successful cotton mills in the United States. The factory was revolutionary due to its use of a water-power technique that went on to play a big role in American industrial history. That’s why the mill is often considered the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.
The Old Slater Mill Historic Landmark District, located in downtown Pawtucket, is made up of three buildings that demonstrate the progression of textile manufacturing from handcrafting to large-scale industry. The Sylvanus Brown House, built in 1758, is filled with textile artifacts such as looms, spinning wheels, and other old-school tools used for textile assembly. Old Slater Mill is filled with examples of textile machines dating from 1775 to 1922. Finally, the 1810 Wilkinson Mill sports an impressive 16,000-pound waterwheel. Hour-long tours, led by trained professional interpreters, include visits to all three buildings and demonstrations of equipment.