Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Museum with a major rail exhibitRanger tours late April to late November; park grounds open daily, dawn to dusk
Old Slater Mill, built in 1793 beside the Pawtucket Falls, is where Samuel Slater first made Richard Arkwright's water-powered cotton spinning work in America, and the National Park Service calls it the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.
- Built in 1793
- National Historic Landmark
- Part of a national historical park
- Ranger-led tours, 30 to 45 minutes
- Junior Ranger badges
- Grounds open daily, dawn to dusk
Old Slater Mill at a glance
- Hours
- As of October 2026: summer (May 17 to October 31) Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm; spring and fall Fridays and Saturdays; grounds daily, dawn to dusk
- Admission
- Not posted online; check with the park
- Seasonal events
- Homeschool Days
- Plan for
- About 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best for
- History lovers and school-age kids
- Best ages
- Ages 6 and up
- Parking
- Parking available at the site; public transit also serves the park
- Accessibility
- The mill is accessible but has uneven floors; accessible and family restrooms; call (401) 318-4489 for accommodations
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Old Slater Mill? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Pawtucket.
Rally Takes the Train
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Where the Blackstone River started an industrial age
In 1793 a wooden mill went up beside the Pawtucket Falls on the Blackstone River. There, Samuel Slater, working with local craftsmen, built his own version of Richard Arkwright's spinning and carding machinery and became the first to make water-powered cotton spinning succeed in America. It is recognized as the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill in North America.
The National Park Service describes the mill as the beginning of a long list of changes: machine-made goods, hourly wages, planned communities and, eventually, labor unions. Slater's success touched off a chain reaction across the Blackstone Valley that changed how people worked and where they lived, as mill after mill rose along the river.
Today Old Slater Mill is a National Historic Landmark and the heart of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, which stretches across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Park rangers lead tours and education programs, and the mill holds the park's visitor contact station. Neighboring buildings in the historic district, including the 1810 Wilkinson Mill and the Sylvanus Brown House, are closed for now while accessibility and safety work is completed, and the park is limiting group sizes until that work is done.
Inside America's first cotton spinning mill
Start at the visitor information station inside Old Slater Mill, where an 8-minute video introduces the park and rangers answer questions. Guided tours leave from the patio in front of the mill and last 30 to 45 minutes, telling the story of the Industrial Revolution in the building where it began. The visitor station offers exhibits and maps, and restrooms and drinking water are available.
Outside, the park grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk, with picnic tables and scenic spots for photos along the river. The park does not list railroad exhibits at the mill itself; rail fans come for the bigger story of the Blackstone Valley's mill towns, which the region's railroads later served. The 1810 Wilkinson Mill, known for its water-powered machine shop, is currently closed.
Don’t miss
- Old Slater MillThe 1793 wooden mill where water-powered cotton spinning first succeeded in America.
- The ranger-led tourA 30 to 45 minute walk through the mill and the story of how it changed American work.
- The 8-minute park videoA quick introduction at the visitor station before you head into the mill.
- Pawtucket Falls and the Blackstone RiverThe falls powered Slater's machinery, and the river view shows why he built here.
- The Junior Ranger programKids can earn a Junior Ranger badge at the visitor information station.
Junior Rangers and the roar of a river
Kids can pick up a Junior Ranger activity at the visitor information station and earn a badge, which turns a mill tour into a mission. Tours are short, 30 to 45 minutes, which works for school-age kids; the mill has uneven floors, so hold small hands.
In hot weather, tours are shortened to a 10-minute ranger talk when the heat index tops 87 degrees, so cooler days are best for young visitors. Families who homeschool can join the park's twice-yearly Homeschool Days at the mill, and teachers can book field trips.
Plan your visit: tips for Old Slater Mill
- Tours start at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm from the patio in front of the mill.
- On days with a heat index above 87 degrees, tours become a 10-minute ranger talk.
- Call (401) 725-8638 for the latest weather and tour updates.
- The Wilkinson Mill and Sylvanus Brown House are closed during safety work.
The National Park Service at Pawtucket
Old Slater Mill is run by the National Park Service as part of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. Park rangers lead tours and education programs for schools, homeschool families and groups. Visitors can support the park by taking part in its programs and following its guidance during the current restoration work.
Rail history up and down the Blackstone Valley
The Woonsocket Train Depot, an 1882 Providence & Worcester station upriver, is about 11 miles away. The Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum is about 17 miles off, and the Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad is about 20 miles. Browse Rhode Island train museums for more.
- Woonsocket Depot historic railway siteWoonsocket, RI · about 11 mi
- Old Colony & Fall River Railroad MuseumFall River, MA · about 17 mi
- Newport Railway / Newport & Narragansett Bay RailroadPortsmouth / Newport, RI · about 20 mi
- Rhode Island Railroad MuseumWoonsocket area, RI · about 29 mi
- Edaville Family Theme Park historic railroad collectionCarver, MA · about 32 mi
- Boston Street Railway Association historic collectionBoston area, MA · about 36 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Mills like this one changed how families lived and traveled, and trains followed close behind. When I think about big changes, I think of the tunnel in our book: it is dark for a moment, and then there's a big bright light and happy cheers on the other side. My kids hold their breath every time we turn that page. Our train books for toddlers list has more stories they love.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
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- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Rhode Island
- Halloween train rides in Rhode Island
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Old Slater Mill?
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Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Old Slater Mill: 20 questions visitors ask
Where is Old Slater Mill?
Old Slater Mill is at 67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860, beside the Pawtucket Falls on the Blackstone River. It is part of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. The site has parking, and the National Park Service notes that public transit also serves it.
What are Old Slater Mill hours?
As of October 2026, the summer schedule from May 17 to October 31 opens the visitor station Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. In spring (April 24 to May 16) and fall (November 1 to 28) it opens Fridays and Saturdays. The park grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk.
What time are Old Slater Mill tours?
Ranger-led tours start at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm on open days, leaving from the patio in front of the mill. Each tour runs 30 to 45 minutes. In very hot weather, tours are replaced by a shorter 10-minute ranger talk with brief access to the main part of the mill.
How much does it cost to visit Old Slater Mill?
The National Park Service does not post an admission fee on the Old Slater Mill page. Call the park at (401) 725-8638 to confirm whether tours are free or require tickets before you go, especially if you are bringing a group.
Why is Old Slater Mill important?
Built in 1793, it is where Samuel Slater first successfully used Richard Arkwright's water-powered cotton spinning technology in America. The National Park Service calls it the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, the start of machine-made goods, hourly wages, planned communities and labor unions.
Who was Samuel Slater?
Samuel Slater worked with local craftsmen in Pawtucket to build a version of Richard Arkwright's spinning and carding machinery, powered by the Blackstone River at the Pawtucket Falls. His 1793 mill was the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill in North America and set off industrial growth across the valley.
Is Old Slater Mill a national park?
Old Slater Mill is part of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, managed by the National Park Service, and is designated a National Historic Landmark. The park covers sites in Rhode Island and Massachusetts linked to the Blackstone River's role in America's industrial age.
Is the Wilkinson Mill open at Slater Mill?
No. As of October 2026, the Wilkinson Mill and the Sylvanus Brown House are closed to the public until critical accessibility and safety work is completed. Old Slater Mill itself remains open for tours, and group tours are smaller than in the past because of the closures.
Is Old Slater Mill good for kids?
Yes, especially for school-age kids. They can earn a Junior Ranger badge at the visitor information station, watch an 8-minute video and join a short ranger tour. The mill has uneven floors, so keep little ones close, and plan cooler days since hot weather shortens tours.
Does Old Slater Mill have a Junior Ranger program?
Yes. Kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge through the visitor information station inside Old Slater Mill. Park staff there can help them get started and answer questions. It is an easy way to make a mill visit more hands-on for young history fans.
Is Old Slater Mill wheelchair accessible?
The National Park Service says the mill is accessible but has uneven floors. Accessible rooms, accessible restrooms and a family restroom are listed among the amenities. Special accommodations can be arranged by calling (401) 318-4489 before your visit.
What happens at Old Slater Mill in hot weather?
For visitor safety, tours of Old Slater Mill are modified or cancelled when the heat index is above 87 degrees Fahrenheit. A shortened 10-minute ranger talk is offered at the usual tour times instead, with brief access to the main mill. Call (401) 725-8638 for weather updates.
Can schools visit Old Slater Mill on a field trip?
Yes. Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park offers field trips to Old Slater Mill, along with curriculum-aligned classroom resources and digital tools. Teachers can find booking details on the park's education page, and group sizes are currently limited during restoration work.
Does Old Slater Mill have Homeschool Days?
Yes. The park holds Homeschool Days at Old Slater Mill twice a year, with programs tailored to homeschool learners of all ages. Dates are announced on the park's education page, so check there or call (401) 725-8638 to find the next one.
Can I book a group tour of Old Slater Mill?
Yes. Special group tours can be booked through the park's education and group tours pages. Because the Wilkinson Mill and Sylvanus Brown House are closed for safety work, group tours must be smaller than in past years, so book early and confirm your group size.
Are there railroad exhibits at Slater Mill?
The park does not list railroad exhibits at Old Slater Mill. The site focuses on the textile mill and the Industrial Revolution. Rail fans can pair it with the Woonsocket Train Depot upriver, an 1882 Providence & Worcester station, to see how railroads served the valley's mill towns.
Where do I park at Old Slater Mill?
The National Park Service lists auto parking among the site's amenities at 67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket. Public transit is also listed as an option. If you need accessible parking or drop-off details, call (401) 318-4489 before your visit.
How long should I spend at Old Slater Mill?
Plan on about an hour to an hour and a half: a few minutes for the 8-minute video, 30 to 45 minutes for the ranger tour, and time to walk the grounds by the river. Bring a picnic, since picnic tables are available on site.
Are there restrooms at Old Slater Mill?
Yes. Restrooms, including accessible and family restrooms, and drinking water are available at the visitor information station inside Old Slater Mill. Picnic tables, maps and an information kiosk are also on site, and rangers are present during open hours.
What train museums are near Old Slater Mill?
The Woonsocket Train Depot is about 11 miles away, and the Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum in Massachusetts is about 17 miles. The Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad, which runs scenic rides on Aquidneck Island, is about 20 miles from Pawtucket.
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