Lowell – Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in America  Lowell, Massachusetts

American Factory System  Starts in Waltham, Mass, near Lowell in 1813  1822, Lowell became preferred because of its access to the Merrimack River which fell 35 feet at Lowell, providing a perfect source of both water power and transport.

The “Manchester” of America  By 1850, Lowell was using steam power  Was producing 20% of the nation’s cloth

The Hallmarks of the Lowell System  Large Capital Investment  Concentration of all processes under one roof.  Specialization in coarse cloth required minimal management.  Labor was mostly female

Water Power  Water was diverted from the Merrimack River through a canal network.  The water was channeled into the factory which turned a turbine.  The turbine was linked to a belt system which in turn powered the looms of the factory.  By 1850, most factories had converted to steam.

Detail showing use of water power

Water power to belt power  The next picture shows a shaft that extends the full length of the loom floor.  The shaft was powered from the water- powered turbine from the floor below.  Each loom, in turn, has a separate belt which powers the loom.

Water-driven main shaft powers all looms

Close-up of Loom

A loom mechanic’s tools

The Women of Lowell  The bulk of the laborers were young women from New England farms.  Supervised by housemothers and subject to curfews, the girls worked 12 – 14 hr days and 70 hr. work weeks.  Church attendance was compulsory

The Women of Lowell  The incessant work of the factory replaced farm work. While farm work was difficult, there were seasonal lulls. Not so for the factory. Life was lived according to the time clock, not the seasons.

The Women of Lowell  While the conditions were spartan by modern standards, the conditions were generally better than their British counterparts.  Working at the mills was about the only way an early 19 th century New England woman could achieve any independence.  Many women availed themselves of schooling activities available in the evening.

Exterior of Woman’s Dorm Women’s Dorm

Interior of Woman’s Dorm Women’s Dorm Room

Interior of Woman’s Dorm Four young women to a room

Interior of Women’s Dorm Communal Dining Area

Peak & Decline  Eventually, reliance on native female labor declined and entire immigrant families. The next slide indicates that some groups experienced discrimination in the late 19 th century.  At the turn of the century, the textile industry moved south in search of cheaper labor. The southern system initially copied the original Lowell system of hiring farm girls.

Bibliography  All photographs by John deVille; taken July 2001  Animated loom gif from US Park Service.