The nation’s first planned mill village - Slatersville

North Smithfield was rural-agrarian in its beginnings, as it was once part of the neighboring town of Smithfield until 1871. Most of the early settlers’ lives were centered on the farm.

With the advent of organized industry in the 19th century North Smithfield had its early industrial growth centered on its water power. Villages developed around the mills, each growing and developing its own unique characteristics.
 

With the success of Samuel Slater manufacturing textiles in the late 1790’s in the Blackstone River Valley, the American Industrial Revolution was born! As the demands for textiles increased, so did the need to expand industry.

The village of Slatersville, in North Smithfield, RI still stands testament today as the first ever mill village developed in America.

Located on the Branch River, Slatersville was formed in 1803 when Samuel Slater and his brother John, in partnership with the Providence firm of Almy and Brown, purchased the land and began construction of a textile mill. By 1807, the village included the Slatersville Mill, the largest and most modern industrial building of its day, two houses for workers, the owner's house and the company store.

The Village Green circa 1838 provides a traditional New England Town Common quality to the village, with the Slatersville Congregational Church as the centerpiece.

Many of the houses around the village and North Smithfield Town Hall were built by the Slater Company in the early 1800’s and updated over the years. John Slater's house still stands just beyond the Village Green on School Street.

 

For more on the history of Slatersville there is another interpretive walking tour brochure that’s available free of charge from any Blackstone Valley Visitor Center by contacting 401-724-2200. Also, village history and other details can be found on the North Smithfield town website at www.northsmithfieldri.com

Details on the annual Pumpkinfest  are also available by calling 401-765-2660 or the Town Hall at 401-767-2200 or on the web at www.northsmithfieldri.com