Slater's Mill

Slater's Mill, located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is considered the first successful water-powered textile factory in the United States, opened in 1793. It marked the beginning of America's Industrial Revolution by using water to power machinery that spun cotton into thread efficiently. This innovation significantly boosted textile production, reducing costs and enabling mass manufacturing. The mill's development was crucial in transforming local economies from agrarian to industrial and laid the foundation for the growth of factory-based manufacturing across the country. Today, Slater’s Mill is a historic site and museum that showcases early industrial advances and the history of American manufacturing.