The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked and where they lived. Learn how this revolutio...
Along the Mumford River, stands the Old Brick Mill. This mill marked the beginning of large scale industry in Whitinsville. Paul Whitin and Sons built this structure as a cotton mill in 1826. The Brick Mill originally employed 40 workers, most of whom were from the village. It was expanded in 1830 and employed 146 workers at the height of its operation in the early 1840s. By 1845, Whitin cotton manufacturing had outgrown this mill. The company constructed a much larger mill, and John C. Whitin began using the Brick Mill exclusively for machine production and repair. This was the beginning of the Whitin Machine Works, which eventually dominated the town. Today, the Brick Mill is operated by Alternatives, a nonprofit that works with people with developmental disabilities. They restored the mill to its current state.
The centerpiece of the Adin Ballou Park is a statue of Hopedale's founder. Adin Ballou established Hopedale in 1841 as a Practical Christian community. Ballou and his followers attempted to create a utopian community based upon the practical application of the tenants of Christianity. This community outlived most of its utopian counterparts of the 1840s, and the community served as the basis for the company town that the Draper's constructed in the century that followed. Also within the park, you'll find the beaten front door step and boot scraper, the only remnants of the original farmhouse the first Hopedale settlers called home. The spirit of hope that inspired these Practical Christians is evident in the town's name — Hopedale — which they chose for their fledgling experiment in communal living.
The growth of hay has been an essential crop for thousands of years. Prior to the introduction of water and steam power, it was horses and oxen that provided the power to run the machinery and plow the fields. This is where the term "horsepower" comes from. It was the hay that provided the energy for the livestock to do their work. When the Blackstone Canal was opened in 1827, horses pulled the barges up and down the canal. After the canal closed, horses were still used for transporting goods from the trains, to and from the mills. The hay was also used at the Kelly barn to support the milking process.
The Ashton Mill is the centerpiece of the Asthon mill village. The large brick structure was built in 1867 as an upgrade to the Kelly Mill located across the Blackstone. It was situated along the railroad to facilitate the transport of the raw materials and the final products. The mill made fine muslin cloth and was in business until 1935 when the depression forced it to close. In 1941 Owens-Corning bought the building and reopened it as a Fiberglas manufacturing plant and Research & Development lab. Among the many products developed in the Ashton Fiberglas plant was beta cloth, the noncombustible outer layer of spacesuits that were used in the Apollo missions. Owens-Corning closed the factory in 1983. Today the Ashton mill contains lofts and apartments for Providence and Boston commuters.
A great example of the Rhode Island System of Manufacturing is shown in the Ashton Mill Village. Built next to the Ashton Mill, the village spreads up the hill to the church and school. Management housing and the company store were also located at the top of the hill. Toward the mill, there were three different types of worker housing available. There were townhouses that held 2 families, tenement houses that held 4 families and row houses that were dormitory style for single people. Aside from the original company store, all the buildings remain from this late 1800s mill village. In the Rhode Island System of Manufacturing, the mothers worked the machines, the children changed the spindles and the fathers maintained the machines and worked the farm.
Joseph Bancroft was an original member of the Hopedale community. In 1856, he cast the lone vote against the dissolution of the community. He remained a life-long friend of Adin Ballou, and he was also a business partner of the Drapers. With a strong interest in improving community life, he provided the money to build this distinguished building, which he dedicated to his wife. The library houses a small collection of artifacts and memorabilia, including Adin Ballou's craddle and writing desk.
The Kelly House Museum and Blackstone Canal are located in the Blackstone River State Park. The Captain Wilbur Kelly Museum of Transporation is open and free to the public. The museum is open from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, seven days a week. The park grounds are open daily dawn to dusk. The grounds include access to the Blackstone River, Blackstone Canal, waysides providing historical information, a replica barn and a bicycle path connecting Lincoln to Woonsocket, RI.
Come visit the Captain Wilbur Kelly Museum of Transportation. The museum is part of the Blackstone River State park. Its main focus is on the effects that changes in the transportation field had on the surrounding mill villages. The museum highlights the building and usage of the Blackstone Canal along with the Train system that replaced it.
This is a small site located on the banks for the Blackstone River. There is a small parking area which leads to four signs. The signs tell the story of the Chocolateville Mill and industrial development along this section of the Blackstone River. There is a view of the river and a stone bridge crosses the river at this location.
The house that stands at 1 Elm Place today was built in 1770 by Colonel James Fletcher. He was a blacksmith, a patriot, and a man who married well. Fletcher was also part of the team that established the first cotton mill here.
This wood framed home painted white sits adjacent to the street.
The Ashton gasometer was a round brick building used to store coal gas. The gas was used to heat and light the mill and village across the river in the late 1800s. The coal gas was produced from a coal furnace located in Lonsdale, around three miles down the Blackstone River. The gas was then piped up from Lonsdale to the gasometer. The gas was then piped back across the river for use in the Asthon Village. The reason the gasometer was located across the river was in case there was a fire or explosion. This way it was further from the company housing and the mill.
Across the Mumford River stands the massive cotton mill built by the Whitins in 1845. Built of local granite, this mill increased the company’s production four times over what had been possible in the Brick Mill. In front of the building stood the Dudley Company store, where residents could purchase basic foodstuffs and dry goods. The textile industry in the North suffered economic depression following WWI, and cotton manufacturing came to an end in Whitinsville in 1923.The granite mill became part of Whitin Machine Works, used as the company’s research branch. The mill was converted to apartments in 1976.
Along Dutcher Street, you will find rows of duplex company houses, which were constructed between 1902 and 1907. These houses were much larger and more spacious than a typical mill house in other mill villages. By 1910, Hopedale had won international recognition for its model housing for workers, with an English housing expert declaring it, "America's Best." The Drapers provided free maintenance to keep the houses in good condition. But there were restrictions; fences were prohibited and no one could "tie or fasten any horse to any shade or ornamental tree." In addition to providing inexpensive housing, the Drapers implemented an efficient system of garbage collection and constructed a sewerage system that, by the late 1890s, was connected to every house in town. All houses had water, gas, electricity, and indoor plumbing by 1910.
This central piece of the Hopedale community is surrounded by civic, recreational, and religious institutions. Although the mill would have served as the central gathering place for work, the quadrangle served as a gathering place for the social and cultural aspects of life in Hopedale for the mill's workers. Began as a utopian community founded upon the ideals of Practical Christianity, religion always played an important part in community life. The Unitarian Church was erected in 1898 in the name of George and Hannah Draper by their sons George and Eben. This granite structure served as the religious home for many workers. On the opposite side of the quadrangle stands the Hopedale Community House. This building served as a social center, hosting events and gatherings from the time of construction in 1923. On the northeastern end of the quadrangle stands the George A. Draper Gymnasium. Constructed in 1955, this structure was dedicated to the memory of one of the treasurers and directors of the company in the early 20th century. George Draper was instrumental in the creation of the Hopedale Community House. Across Hopedale Street stands the town hall. Built of local granite and brownstone, this building was a gift of George A. Draper and presented to the town in 1887, one year after Hopedale was granted township. It was designed to accommodate businesses on the ground floor and has an auditorium on the second floor. The quadrangle is a testament to the community that the Draper's helped build and controlled completely.
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor tells the story of how the American Industrial Revolution sent reverberations throughout the country. Follow the 46 miles of the Blackstone River as it drops 450 feet to sea level. Explore the varied habitats of its watershed, the charming towns and villages in the region, and our distinctive culture created by influences from around the globe.
John Slater built his home in 1810. It originally stood on the corner of North Main and Green Streets. After his death in 1843, his family moved the house to this site and converted it into worker housing. Slater’s home is handsome, but modest and very similar to the worker housing built at the same time.
It was in this small shop that the original Hopedale community operated several machine business.The most profitable of these business was the manufacturing of loom temples from a patent held by Ebenezer Draper. When George Draper joined his brother's business in 1853, he devoted his considerable energy to finding improved ways to mechanize the weaving process. He was so successful that they soon outgrew the Little Red Shop. The Draper's constructed a sprawling complex of brick structures. By the 1890s, the Drapers dominated the nation's loom-making business. They manufactured every piece of the machines they used, including the nuts and bolts. They processed raw steel in their own foundry. Today, the once powerful reminder of the Draper Corporation's exponential growth no longer stands. The mill was torn down in 2021.
This three-story tall brick structure sits on a large brick patio in the middle of large city buildings around it. Square windows line the 2nd and 3rd floors, while the windows on the first floor are large arch-shaped windows.
At the intersection of Hill Street and Main Street is the heart of Whitinsville—Memorial Square. The Whitin family transformed an existing pasture into the village common in 1890. Across from the Square stand the imposing Congregational Church and Whitinsville Social Library. The Whitins paid for the construction of both of these buildings and donated them to the town. The white mansion beside the Library is the Congregational Parsonage, donated to the Congregational Society by the Whitins in 1864. Aside from the imposing structure of the Whitin Machine Works, these buildings serve as the focal point of the village. They served as a social and cultural hub for the those who lived and worked in the village.
This building is located on the site of the original homestead of Paul and Betsy Whitin. This Town Hall served a practical function and solidified the importance of the village to Northbridge overall. It was dedicated in honor of Betsy and Paul Whitin, whose children certainly left a lasting mark on this land.
A two-story brick building with columns on its front facade
Visit Old Slater Mill, the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Originally constructed in 1793, this mill stands as an important reminder of the changes brought on by industrialization. It was here that Samuel Slater first successfully implemented Richard Arkwright's water-powered cotton spinning technology in America. At this time, the visitor station in the front part of the Slater Mill is open for viewing. In it you will find a working model of the waterwheel, pictures, artifacts and other exhibits and videos. The visitor station is open Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Ranger Led Programs, that include tours of the mill, are also offered at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The park grounds are open from dawn to dusk.
Pawtucket is an Algonquin word for “place of the falls.” The Pawtucket Falls is the last waterfall on the Blackstone River. At this site, Moses Brown and William Olney used the natural falling water to power their prototype cotton spinning mill. It wasn't until Samuel Slater joined the team in 1790 that the mill successfully spun thread. Three years later, using the machinery finalized at the Pawtucket Falls site, Slater Mill was opened, and the rest is history.
A two-and-a-half story colonial home with a one-and-a-half story addition. It has a large brick chimney and is painted olive green. The house sits at the foot of a large hill known as Acote's Hill.
The bridge that crosses the Blackstone River connecting Lincoln and Cumberland, RI is located over a section of the river that is called Pray's Wading. This spot has been a place where people and animals have been crossing the river for probably over a thousand years. The geology of the area created an easy, shallow spot to cross, making the original location of the Kelly Mill a logical place to choose, since people had been congregating there for years. From the bridge, looking up the river you can see the Ashton Dam. The dam was built around 1867 to support the Ashton Mill. Remnants of the original Kelly Dam are sometimes visible under the river a little further upstream from the Ashton Dam.
The waterfall directly behind Slater Mill is the result of the Blackstone River running over the Slater Mill Dam. The dam was installed in 1792 to slow down the natural flow of the water. The stored water could then be diverted through a gate, down the raceway and into the waterwheel. The weight of the water turned the waterwheel which harnessed the power that ran the machines in the mill.
The Slatersville church common, served as an important social center and focal point for the village. The common, laid out by the Slaters in 1838, also adds to the traditional New England essence of Slatersville. The Slater family built the Slatersville Congregational Church in 1838. The Slaters were raised in the Church of England, but they built this church for their workers' needs. The church is a lovely example of the Greek Revival style topped by a three-stage belfry with an octagonal spire. Slatersville's first church, built in 1808, is now a private residence located behind the current Congregational Church.
The First Commercial Block (on the right) was constructed in 1850, when it housed the company store and the First National Bank. Many other businesses have used this space over the years, including barber shops and a hardware store. The stairway on the far side of the block leads to the old night-deposit vault for the bank. The Second Commercial Block was built in 1870. The upper floors of both buildings were used for workers' recreation - dances, social activities and later movies. Today, both buildings are still in use.
The original Slatersville Mill, built in 1807, burned down in 1826 and was replaced by the current mill, known as the Center Mill or the Mill #1. It is a four-story building with a five-story stair belltower. Behind the Center Mill is the Granite or Mill #3, built in 1843, and along the power trench is a brick weave shed, Mill #4, built in 1894. In front of the Center Mill is a wooden office building, the last remaining structure from the original mill. In 2007, the Slatersville Mills began a new life as apartments. The restored mills once again providing a focal point for the village.
One of the best perspective of the reservoirs is in the small park along the river behind the North Smithfield Public Library. Follow the small path at the post office end of the parking lot towards the river. From here you can see two waterfalls (dams). The larger dam, known as the Middle Dam, was built in 1849. It is 300 feet long, and creates a twenty foot drop. Behind the dam is the 170 acre Lower Slatersville Reservoir. The smaller dam was built later to increase the available water power. It was the natural drop in the river at this location which first attracted the Slater brothers to build their new mill village here. Dams and reservoirs were important parts of mill villages. These backed up and stored water. This allowed the water to be diverted through a sluice gate like the one you can see here today. This gate controlled the amount of water flowing into the raceway that powered the Slatersville Mill.
These structures are some of the original mill houses built by Almy, Brown, and Slater circa 1810. Originally, these were very plain, multi-family worker housing. Four families inhabited these homes: two on the first floor and two on the second floor and attic. In the 1920's these structures were converted into single-family management homes by Henry Kendall. Kendall added ornamental touches like side porches, fancier doorways and white picket fences as part of his efforts to restore Slatersville.
A two-story, red wood-frame structure. This building has 4 windows on its front with a door in the middle. There are stone steps that lead up to the front door. The house has a gabled roof.
Life in industrial communities was tough. The natural world and its wonders remained difficult for mill workers to grasp. The Draper family, the owners of the Hopedale Manufacturing Company, sought a place of recreation for their workers. After years of trying to squeeze every bit of productivity out of their limited water rights, the company had created a massive reservoir used to power their mills. To prevent development around the banks of their mill pond and to give their workers a place of recreation, the company undertook an ambitious park development project around their mill pond. The Draper’s hired noted landscape architect Warren Henry Manning to design their new park. Over the next decade, Hopedale spent $2,500 a year on developing approximately 1,000 acres of land into a public park. More than 4 miles of winding forest trails were created. Picnic areas, tennis courts, a bathhouse and a boat house were built. Sand was brought in and an artificial beach was created on the shores of the mill pond. An annual field day event, hosted by the company was held on the new park grounds once a year. The company even developed a small peninsular along the lake with mill houses. The “Lake-Point Development” as it came to be known held 10 two-family houses that offered mill workers water-front property. This small community, adjacent to the parklands and mill pond became a model of suburban planning. A reimagining of the mill pond and its surrounding which benefitted the workers as well as the employers, and still serves as an important reminder to us of the need to get outside and experience nature. Feel free to roam the parklands and experience them as the industrial workers here would have.
In 1821, the Slaters built an eight building mill complex, known as the Western Mills. This was the second mill built in Slatersville. At first, this mill doubled the company's capacity. Over time, the complex continued to expand adding. Much of the Western Mill Complex was condemned and demolished in the early 20th century. Two of the buildings still remain. One, the former storehouse, became the North Smithfield Public Library in 1966. Its rubble-stone construction shows us what the old Western Mill complex looked like.
There is a memorial dedicated to veterans of foreign wars on Linwood Avenue. This area pays tribute to the men and women who served in World War II as well as Korea and Vietnam.
This is a large stone monument with several plaques listing the names of service members.
Across from the Whitin Machine Works, the Whitin Community Center stands as a reminder of the various ways that work bled over into everyday life for employees of this company. Members of the Whitin family commissioned this center in 1922. It is a recreational center usually referred to as “the Gym.”
What would become the largest textile machine manufactory in the world began with the building of Whitin Machine Works along the Mumford River in 1847. The original two-story mill, with its octagonal corner towers and crenelated battlements, accommodated 200 workers and was devoted exclusively to the production of textile machinery. The mill was expanded decade by decade as the company came to dominate the manufacture of machinery for picking, carding, and spinning cotton and wool. Additions to the plant included machine shops, foundries, and specialized structures that ultimately gave it a floor space of 1,750,00 square feet. This towering structure at the center of the village stands as a testament to the Whitin empire which dominated the global production of textile machinery until the mid-twentieth century.
The Whitin mansions reflect the mill owners' rise to power and the social stratification that came to characterize Whitinsville. The first mansion built by John C. Whitin is a Greek Revival structure erected in 1840. It originally stood across from the Whitin Machine Works and was moved in 1870 to make room for Whitin's second, and grander, mansion. Across the street to your left stands Oakhurst, built in 1890 by Chester Lasell, son of Josiah Lasell and Jane Whitin, daughter of John C. Whitin. Chester Lasell succeeded his father as president of Whitin Machine Works. He bred some of the finest race horses in the country and entertained guests, including President Taft and Booker T. Washington at the home. Just down the street is Whitin Park. This was the site of John C. Whitin's second mansion, a 32-room Victorian structure that stood at the top of this landscaped estate. Built in 1875, the estate boasted three greenhouses, several swan ponds, and trees imported from all over the world. The house was torn down in 1943, but much of the foundation remains. All of these structures are a testament to the wealth produced by this community and the continued social divide that occurred here.
A key part of a mill village was the company constructed and owned worker housing. Throughout Whitinsville you can still see the structures that were constructed to house the many company workers. Along Fletcher Street, you will see three Federal-style workers' houses constructed in 1826 in conjunction with the Brick Mill. These houses represent the beginning of the extensive company housing system that the Whitins developed over the years. Further along you will see a series of row houses built in 1864. On High Street, you will pass a number of duplexes built for Whitin employees between 1847 and 1864. The worker housing constructed by the Whitins served as the homes for a diverse population of people from across the world who came to work for the Whitin Machine Works.
This village is located on the banks of the Mumford River. It is comprised of private and public buildings including several mills, dozens of worker houses, shops, stores, churches, and community centers.
In 1865, the Whitinsville National Bank opened, almost directly across from the shop. From this spot, bankers printed approximately $2.7 million dollars of national currency. For many years, the bank was directed by members of the Whitin family and/or high-level executives of the Whitin Machine Works.
The Wilkinson Mill was constructed in 1810. It served as both a machine shop and a textile mill. This building, located adjacent to Old Slater Mill, is a National Engineering Landmark. David Wilkinson invented the screw cutting lathe here which for the first time uniformly cut screws. In the Wilkinson Machine Shop, the Wilkinsons built the machines that made other machines. At this time the building and facilities are closed. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.
The Wilkinson Mill was constructed in 1810. It served as both a machine shop and a textile mill. This building, located adjacent to Old Slater Mill, is a National Engineering Landmark. In the Wilkinson Machine Shop, the Wilkinsons built the machines that made other machines. One of David Wilkinson's greatest inventions was the screw cutting lathe. This machine was the first to uniformly cut screws. At this time the building and facilities are closed. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.
The Visitor Information Center at Old Slater Mill is operated seasonally. Please see active exceptions to ensure that the visitor contact station is open for your visit.
During the months of June, July, and August, join a Park Ranger on 60-minute walking tour at varying locations in the Blackstone Valley.
Visit Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark
The birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Old Slater Mill is open as a museum. Visitors can learn about the history of the site through exhibits, films, and tours. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk. Visitors can read interpretative panels spread across the grounds which help tell the story of the site. Check out the Park's calendar for operating hours and seasons.
Ranger Guided Tours - Slater Mill
Slater Mill is called the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, but what does that really mean? What occurred within the four walls of Old Slater Mill forever changed the fabric of the United States of America. These 30-45 minute tours examine the beginnings of American industry and its lasting effects. Tours are offered seasonally from late-April through early December on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tours begin at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM
Parked at Home
Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home! Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we’ll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites. Join us to learn more about a place that might be close to home, or in a destination you dream of visiting. Each hour-long program includes a presentation and opportunities for questions and answers.
Winter Hikes
Join a Park Ranger for weekly hikes at varying locations in the Blackstone River Valley from December 21, 2024 - February 22, 2025. Hikes start at 10:00 AM on Saturday mornings. See listing for details.
Kelly House Museum of Transportation
Learn the story of the Transportation Revolution by exploring the museum and site. Walk along the river and the Blackstone Canal. Check out the reconstructed historic barn for more exhibits. Ride a bike or walk down the Blackstone Bikeway. There are many ways to explore the site and learn more about the history. Check the Park's calendar for updates on operating hours and events.
Paddling the Blackstone
Whether kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding, the Blackstone River and the remaining parts of the Blackstone Canal offer great places to get out on the water. There are numerous locations across the river valley which are great for paddling. Different locations can accommodate beginner and intermediate paddlers.
Blackstone River Greenway and Bikeway
The Blackstone River Bikeway is a beautiful way to explore the Blackstone Valley, whether by bike or on foot and offers something for everyone to enjoy. With over 24 miles already constructed, the vision is for it to extend 48 miles from downtown Worcester, MA, to India Point Park in Providence, RI.
Bike the Blackstone
Join a Park Ranger for a guided bike ride.
Become a Junior Ranger at Blackstone River Valley NHP
Become a Junior Ranger at Blackstone River Valley NHP! The park has two different Junior Ranger programs you can complete. Books are available at Old Slater Mill and the Blackstone River State Park.
Fall Walkabouts
Join a Park Ranger as we explore each one of our 6 park sites on Saturdays this Fall. Tours will discuss the history of each site and its importance withint the larger context of US history. Tours start at 10:00 AM and last about 90 minutes.
Birds Along the Blackstone
Start your summer weekend off with a bird walk along the beautiful Blackstone River and Canal. Park staff will lead hour-long walking tours at the Blackstone River State Park on Fridays. These birding programs are meant for birders of all ages and skill levels. Field guides, binoculars, and Junior Birder books will be available. Tours meet in front of the Kelly House Museum of Transportation.
Labor Day Weekend at Slater Mill
Join us for a celebration of Labor Day weekend at Old Slater Mill. Free musical performances, tours, talks, and activities. The weekend's highlights include: 8/29: Walkabout/Workshop at 6:30 PM 8/30: River Bend East Songwriters Festival Kickoff at 6:30 PM 8/31: River Bend East Songwriters Festival 12-4 PM; Specialty Tours; Bell Tower open ; old time games 9/1: Specialty Tours, lectures at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM; old time games
Power Walks
This spring, join a park ranger for a series of "power walks" around historic sites in the Blackstone Valley. During these brisk walking tours, we'll explore the history of power along local waterways and wooded areas. Hosted on Thursdays, April 18-May 30, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. No registration is required (free).
Winter Programs
Just because it's winter, doesn't mean there's nothing to see and do in the Blackstone River Valley. Check out these awesome programs to learn more about the Valley's geology, birds, and more
Towpath Talk
Join a Park Ranger for guided walk along the historic Blackstone Canal. This program is offered on Saturdays in the months of June, July, August, and September.
Tours
Count: 5
A Beginning: Old Slater Mill and the Industrial Revolution
Explore the grounds at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark and learn more about the beginnings of the America's industrial age. See three historic buildings, the Blackstone River, a dam, and a waterfall. Read the interpretive panels that dot the landscape and listen to this self-guided audio tour to learn more about the dramatic changes that began at this site.
From Commune to Company Town
During this tour, you will learn about Hopedale’s early idealistic residents and the rise of the Draper company, which became one of the largest producers of textile machines in the world. Today, the physical imprint of Draper is much smaller than it used to be, but traces of the Drapers’ legacy—and some elements of that commune period— remain. We invite you to travel back in time, commune with nature, and discover the industrial legacy still imprinted on the Dale of Hope.
Slatersville: America's First Planned Mill Village
Welcome to Slatersville, one of six sites that make up Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. At first glance, Slatersville looks like a classic New England small town, but in reality, Slatersville is America's first planned mill village. Its true heart is the massive stone mill. Join us as we explore this rich cultural landscape and uncover the story of America's first planned industrial community.
The Story of Blackstone River State Park: Canal Barges, Trains, and Planes
The Kelly and Ashton mill villages lie on opposite banks of the Blackstone River, in Lincoln and Cumberland, RI. Learn about the growth of industrialization and the changes in transportation that transformed this former farmland into a busy community.
Working In Whitinsville
Welcome to Whitisnville, one of six sites that make up Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. Whitinsville is a historic village located in Northbridge, Massachusetts. During your tour of this community, you will see how a small family business grew into the Whitin Machine Works, an industrial giant. Today, various buildings from the company’s evolution still stand. They are a reminder of the decades of labor that made this place successful.
