Lowell Massachusetts (in the Spring Light: Mill Town series)

Exploiting water power in a significant way for the first time in the United States—to manufacture cotton

For me one theme resonated: the power of greed and its role in fostering innovation. Lowell is truly one center of American engineering cleverness, resourcefulness, production, and the money potentially earned by this innovation was a strong driver. Along with what might be intrinsic curiosity. Also the domestic conditions needed to accomplish this. Altho violence prevails thru much of our nation’s history, except for the Civil War it was not on the same scale as Europe in the early 1800's. (Skip Schiel)

Boott Mills Looms (video)

General info about Lowell

"Lowell Mill Girls and the factory system, 1840," by Orestes Brownson and "A Factory Girl"

photos by skip schiel & teeksa photography

blog