MILL TALK: The Railroads of Waltham: An Industrial City on the Move

presented by Rick Kfoury

Join the Charles River Museum for a journey back to Waltham’s railroad heyday, when the advent of the railroad was deeply entwined in the industrial history of the region, and the Boston Manufacturing Company specifically.

Links:

Blurb.com "The New England Southern Railroad Volume 1"
Blurb.com "The New England Southern Railroad Volume 2"
QUEEN CITY RAILS - MANCHESTER'S RAILROADS 1965-1990
Steam Trains of Yesteryear: The Monadnock, Steamtown & Northern Story

Mill Talks at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation are free and open to the public and are made possible by the generous support of the Lowell Institute.

Tips and donations are encouraged, but not required.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We are looking for more people to volunteer to help repair goods, help with administration, or help direct people where to go. I will send an initial email to volunteers later this week.

FAQ: https://www.walthamrc.org/faq
Volunteer sign up: https://www.walthamrc.org/volunteer
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/walthamrc
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/share/s4nbULqAWmf8xqKc/

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission

Mill Talk: The Rosy Dawn of Industrialization: Distant impacts by early New England

presented by Kevin Coffee

The environmental impact of industrialization is often imagined as belching smokestacks or noxious effluents. But local pollution is only the most obvious impact of industrialization. Often overlooked are the distant impacts and ‘externalities’ that accompanied mechanized production and the growth of modern cities.

The Waltham and Lowell systems which birthed textile manufacturing in America were highly profitable and spurred a massive influx of investment capital into the sector. Between 1830 and 1840, more than 270 textile manufacturers were incorporated in Massachusetts alone, each equipped with hundreds of machine tools and dozens of hydro-turbines.

The tremendous demand for raw materials – wood, cotton, iron, clay, limestone, granite, etc. – transformed landscape and watershed. The dramatic rise in demand for raw cotton in America and Britain intensified the brutality of forced labor in the American South, expanded the plantation system into Alabama and Mississippi, and prompted war against Mexico. The growing network of factory sites co-produced an extensive network of railroads and canals. The first twenty years of factory building in Lowell alone required clearing more than 25 square miles of forest for structural timber.

In this talk, historical archaeologist Kevin Coffee shares his research on the standing structures commissioned by the Lowell manufacturers and explores some of the most significant wide-area impacts produced by the new industry.

Kevin Coffee is an archaeologist and museologist whose research explores the materiality of late-modern societal development, especially urbanization and industrialization. From 2018 into 2023, he was the chief interpretation and education officer at Lowell National Historical Park in Lowell MA. He has published about urban development and industrialization in Industrial Archaeology Review, Post-Medieval Archaeology, Journal of the Society for Industrial Archeology, and in the Routledge International Handbook of Heritage and Politics. He has presented on the subject to annual meetings of the Society for Historical Archaeology, Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology, and the Society for Industrial Archeology. He is also the author of Museums and Social Responsibility (Routledge 2023) and Objective Culture and the End of the Museum (Routledge 2025).

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission

2nd SHIFT Concert: CHRISTOPHER PAUL STELLING

christopherpaulstelling.com

Christopher Paul Stelling is an old-school, guitar-toting troubadour, as at home onstage at the Newport Folk Festival or on CBS’s Saturday Morning tv show, as he is traveling the highways and byways of America and beyond.

Known for his intricate, finger-style guitar playing and soulful, introspective vocal delivery, there aren’t too many stages where Stelling hasn’t thrown down and won over the crowd. Rooted in—but not weighed down by—the blues, his artistry is the kind that both embodies and transcends tradition, a voice that compels us to listen with focus and intent.

Stelling’s been on the road for most of the year, touring behind his sixth full-length album, Forgotten But Not Gone & Few and Far Between, and we are delighted his travels are taking him to Waltham for our fall 2024 2nd SHIFT series.

2nd SHIFT Concert: RACHAEL KILGOUR

rachaelkilgour.com

You can often judge an artist by the company she keeps. Rachael Kilgour’s 2023 album My Father Loved Me, produced by the Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Rose Cousins, is a complex and immensely moving masterpiece.

Kilgour is skilled at both finely-wrought character sketches and the broad brushstrokes of the emotional milestones we must all endure and, ultimately learn to grow from. Mourning and celebration are often two sides of the same coin, and Kilgour’s excavation of her grief leads frequently to humor and lightness in concert.

It’s easy to stay numb and disconnected these days, but Rachael Kilgour is the kind of artist that bravely demonstrates for us all that we have to learn and gain from opening ourselves to life’s loves and losses.

Tech Talk: The Making of Millpower: An Animated Series for the Charles River Museum

Join us for a Tech Talk about our new series of short animations on the history of the Boston Manufacturing Company, designed to educate and entertain audiences of all ages, with a particular focus on middle school students.

Waltham animator Macy Lawrence will discuss the research, design, and animation process, and the event will include a screening of the short films

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission

CRAFT BEER for a CAUSE!

a suds-centric fundraiser for the
Charles River Museum
Featuring the best in craft beer, great local restaurants, spirits, wine, and more!

All proceeds of this event will benefit the programs of the Charles River Museum.

FEATURING:

FEATURING:

BEERS:

• 7th Wave

• Best Day Brewing (non-alcoholic beer- *available for our DESIGNATED DRIVERS!)

• Break Rock Brewing

• Clown Shoes

• Crue Brew

• Harpoon

• Idle Hands

• Jacks Abby

• Mighty Squirrel

• Nightshift

• Vitamin Sea Brewing

• Woodland Farms (non-alcoholic beer- *available for our DESIGNATED DRIVERS!)

SPIRITS:

• Boston Harbor Distillery

• Tito’s Handmade Vodka

CIDER:

• Downeast

• Shacksbury Cider

RESTAURANTS:

• Amuleto Mexican Table

• Gustazo

• Lulu’s Allston

• Tack Room

• Sweet Basil on Moody

HYDRATION

• Gold Peak Tea

• smartwater

• vitaminwater

And more to come!!

Not into beer??
There will be wine and other options available for sampling!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Want a taste of what it was like last year? Watch this video!

All proceeds will benefit the exhibits and programs of THE CHARLES RIVER MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY & INNOVATION, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.

MILL TALK: Racing Against the Odds: Major Taylor & the Golden Age of Cycling

presented by Todd Balf, in conversation with Lynne Tolman, writer and president of the Major Taylor Association

Join the Charles River Museum for an inspiring look at the life and times of Major Taylor, one of the most consequential athletes in American sports history.

Taylor was racing on the national and international stage at a time when the US was deeply segregated. He combatted both racial prejudice and systemic barriers to triumph as the ‘world’s fastest man.’ The legendary African American cyclist and the Charles Metz Company of Waltham were deeply intertwined through the golden age of bicycle racing and innovation. Taylor raced on Metz's "Orient" bicycles, and his sprinting ability and speed on the lightweight Orient bikes brought him national fame during the rise of cycling as a competitive sport in America.

However, as the 20th century progressed, the bicycle industry began to decline, largely due to the rise of automobiles. Charles Metz himself shifted his focus from bicycles to cars, founding the Metz Company in 1909, marking the end of an era for Waltham's bicycle production. Still, Taylor’s triumphs in the face of racial adversity remain a lasting legacy of both his own perseverance, and the innovations of the Waltham-based Metz Company.

Todd Balf writes for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and others, and is the author of several books including this summer’s “Three Kings” and “Major: A Black Athlete, a White Era, and the Fight to be the World’s Fastest Human Being.” He is an enthusiastic advocate for cycling and accessibility.

Major: A Black Athlete, a White Era, and the Fight to Be the World's Fastest Human Being by Todd Balf tells the riveting and inspiring story of Major Taylor, an African American cyclist who defied the odds in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Amidst the deeply segregated society of his time, Taylor rose to become the world’s fastest cyclist and a global sports icon. Balf’s meticulously researched book not only captures Taylor’s athletic prowess but also highlights his struggles against racial prejudice and personal battles. This powerful narrative sheds light on a groundbreaking figure whose legacy transcends sports, symbolizing resilience and the fight for equality in a racially divided world.

MAJOR: The story of Worcester’s world champion cyclist Marshall “Major” Taylor and the race to build the world’s fastest bike

Lynne Tolman is a cyclist herself, an editor -- retired from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette -- and president of the nonprofit Major Taylor Association, based in Worcester. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She has written about bicycling for VeloNews, USA Cycling, and other publications, and she bikes with the Seven Hills Wheelmen. One of her other hobbies is genealogy, another species of the history bug.

Links:

Bookshop.org "Major: A Black Athlete, a White Era, and the Fight to Be the World's Fastest Human Being"

Bookshop.org "Three Kings: Race, Class, and the Barrier-Breaking Rivals Who Launched the Modern Olympic Age"

Todd Balf in "Runner's World"

2nd SHIFT Concert: STEPHANIE LAMBRING

stephanielambring.com

An intensely brave writer, Stephanie Lambring is as adept at voicing the inner monologues of people we tend to ignore, as she is at shining light on the darkest feelings we might sometimes rather hide. Her songs can, at times, be stark and unrelenting—just like the truth often is. At the same time, her voice is also hopeful, resilient, and unbowed, just like people often are, in spite of the rigors and indignities of modern life. In a just world, everyone would know Lambring's name—she’s that great of a songwriter.

If you’re a fan of singers like Patty Griffin or Lori McKenna, take a chance on Stephanie Lambring and prepare to meet one of your favorite new artists.

MILL TALK: Making It in America: The past, present and future of New England textile manufacturing

RESCHEDULED FROM THE ORIGINAL MAY DATE

presented by: 
Rachel Slade author of Making It in America 
& Michelle Finamore fashion historian, author, and curator

New England has a rich apparel and textile manufacturing history. The United States' industrial revolution started here, and many of the region's famous families made their first fortunes in textile, shoe, and apparel production. Over the past 40 years, much of that industry has vanished as companies have been forced to deal with ever cheaper imports from abroad.

Now, a new group of entrepreneurs is reviving every aspect of this legacy. Why are they doing it? What does it take to breathe life into a dying industry? And will they succeed?

This far-reaching conversation with journalist Rachel Slade, author of Making It in America, and Michelle Finamore, fashion historian, author, and curator, will explore New England's manufacturing legacy while exploring the ways new companies are revitalizing centuries-old industries.

MILL TALK:
Historic Innovation and its Modern Legacy in 3D Photographs

Presenters:
Bernard P. Fishman
Director, Maine State Museum

George L. Mutter
Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School

See a stunning 3D projection of original images from the 1800s and early 1900s, showing how past inventions, economic changes, and conceptual freedoms have made today’s world. The growth of early industry, mechanized production, industrialized warfare, transformation of cities by an emergent middle class, labor activism, the revolution in domestic life and the women’s rights movement are all shown. You will see lively and thought-provoking scenes of whaling, oil exploration, mining, textile manufacture, skyscraper construction, and the depletion of forests, grasslands, and fisheries. Look into the faces of those affected by slavery, dispossession, and poverty, as well as immigrants in search of a better life. Although this world is gone, we live in its shadow.

You will be provided magic glasses to see these photos in 3D, as they were viewed in Victorian parlors.

Warning: This presentation includes explicit images as they were shown in the day. Content may not be suitable for children.

We Are Waltham: True Stories from Waltham, MA

General Admission $15.00
Students & Seniors Admission $10.00

This show may not be suitable for young children.

Join the community as Waltham resident and storyteller  Chandreyee Lahiri takes us on a journey into the lives of others in Waltham.

This program aims to build a stronger Waltham community. For those new to storytelling, Lahiri will offer guidance in crafting your presentation prior to the event.

STORIES: A cast of 6 tellers will share true 6-8 minute stories about memorable experiences in their lives. All live, work or have close ties to the city so will help bond the community together as we discover the similarities that run through our differences.

'We are Waltham' is a storytelling show aimed at exploring the lives and experiences of residents of Waltham in order to entertain as well as help knit the community together. 

In keeping with the current standards of storytelling represented by popular shows like The Moth and Stories from the Stage, stories on this show will be true incidents from the lives of the tellers, told in their own authentic voices. In a world increasingly divided by ideology and suffering from Pandemic fallout, perhaps peeking into each others' realities might help us feel more like a community.  

Each show will attempt to have a cast of diverse tellers from many walks of life and stories will be their own but crafted with the help of a story telling coach. Hate speech will not be tolerated but an attempt will be made to accommodate all voices and perspectives. 

Its origins:

The show was conceived by Waltham resident Chandreyee Lahiri, a part-time writer and storyteller (chandreyeelahiri.com).

2nd SHIFT Concert: ALICE HOWE & FREEBO

alicehowe.com
freebomusic.com

We’re kicking off the fall 2nd SHIFT series in fine fashion with a pair of artists that frequently record and tour together, embodying both respect for tradition and the resilience required to carry it forward.

Freebo was an integral member of Bonnie Raitt’s band, appearing on many of her classic, early-career records. In recent years, he’s been energized by just how much humor and heart he has to offer as a singer and songwriter in his own right.

Newton, Massachusetts’ own Alice Howe proudly deals in the sort of catchy-yet-emotionally-literate songs that once ruled the airwaves. Her tenderly muscular alto brings to mind shades of Ronstadt and, yes, Raitt, but is best-served delivering her own hopeful and empowering anthems.

Bricks and Stories Tours
of the historic Francis Cabot Lowell Mill 

Our popular outdoor walking tour returns!
Come see an evolution of a historic textile mill

Curious about the old mill complex by the river? Discover the history and architecture of the world’s first modern factory, the 1813 Boston Manufacturing Company, which lies right in your own backyard!

Take a walk by the river in the fresh air. Then have a delicious lunch at one of Waltham’s local eateries.  

It all starts at the Charles River Museum.

Where:
Tours begin overlooking the river beneath the Charles River Museum smokestack. Follow signs from Landry Park off of Moody Street or the footbridge behind Embassy parking. We meet outside our Visitor Entrance.

Directions and Parking Info HERE 

We look forward to seeing you there!

The optimal size for this tour is up to 20 persons.
Groups are welcome to contact the museum to arrange a private tour.         

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission

MassDestruction: Resurgence TOO! Combat Robotics!

Sparks will fly, bots will die, and a new champion of MassDestruction will be crowned!

MassDestruction is coming to the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation to once again bring you an entire day of mechanized mayhem! Expect to see Boston’s brightest put their metal to the metal as we clash 3lb and 1lb robots in our Pyramid of Pain!

NOTE: This is a family friendly spectator event suitable for all ages, but there will be loud noises and crowds.

If you’re new to robot fighting and want to learn how to get involved, please message MassDestruction’s friendly Facebook page and we can get you pointed in the right direction!

Fight registration will be on buildersdb.com,

Timing
(Subject to change):

• 9AM competitors arrive, safety and weigh in

• 10:30AM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: fights start

• 1:30pm midday break

• 6:30-7:30pm fights finish up

Rules: 

• NERC Ruleset plus some additional rules that will be on the buildersdb page

Builder Entry Fee:

• $30 (includes 2 free museum entry tickets)

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission

With great regret, we must postpone the Mill Talk on “Making It in America and the past, present and future of New England manufacturing,” due to illness.

We are so sorry for late notice and the disappointment this causes!

Please know that we are already planning a new date, likely to be in late September or early October. We will share with you the new date as soon as we’re able to announce the decision.

Thank you very much for your interest in our programs and for your understanding regarding this setback.

We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

MILL TALK: Making It in America: The past, present and future of New England manufacturing

This event is FREE to the public
Registration required.

presented by: 
Rachel Slade author of Making It in America 
& Michelle Finamore fashion historian, author, and curator

New England has a rich apparel and textile manufacturing history. The United States' industrial revolution started here, and many of the region's famous families made their first fortunes in textile, shoe, and apparel production. Over the past 40 years, much of that industry has vanished as companies have been forced to deal with ever cheaper imports from abroad.

Now, a new group of entrepreneurs is reviving every aspect of this legacy. Why are they doing it? What does it take to breathe life into a dying industry? And will they succeed?

This far-reaching conversation with journalist Rachel Slade, author of Making It in America, and Michelle Finamore, fashion historian, author, and curator, will explore New England's manufacturing legacy while exploring the ways new companies are revitalizing centuries-old industries.

Bricks and Stories Tours
of the historic Francis Cabot Lowell Mill 

Our popular outdoor walking tour returns!
Come see an evolution of a historic textile mill

Curious about the old mill complex by the river? Discover the history and architecture of the world’s first modern factory, the 1813 Boston Manufacturing Company, which lies right in your own backyard!

Take a walk by the river in the fresh air. Then have a delicious lunch at one of Waltham’s local eateries.  

It all starts at the Charles River Museum.

Where:
Tours begin overlooking the river beneath the Charles River Museum smokestack. Follow signs from Landry Park off of Moody Street or the footbridge behind Embassy parking. We meet outside our Visitor Entrance.

Directions and Parking Info HERE 

We look forward to seeing you there!

The optimal size for this tour is up to 20 persons.
Groups are welcome to contact the museum to arrange a private tour.         

The Making of Millpower: An Animated Series for the Charles River Museum

Wish to become a member and take advantage of the different benefits available at each of our six different levels?

Visit HERE for more information and to join!

Join us for a preview of a new series of short animations on the history of the Boston Manufacturing Company designed to educate and entertain audiences of all ages, with a particular focus on middle school students.

The research, design, and animation process will be explored, and the event will include a sneak preview of the short films before they are shared publicly.

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission

2nd SHIFT Concert: MIKE + RUTHY (of the Mammals)

doors open 7:30, concert begins at 8PM

Community, connection, and sustainability…every song they sing is an invitation to us all to envision the world we want to live in. Mike + Ruthy hit the perfect honest-yet-hopeful note to end on for the final show in our spring 2024 series.

OPENING Sunday, May 12th, 2024, 11-3!

Find them outside the Museum’s Visitor Entrance alongside the Landry Way bike path!

Continuing the tradition of excellence in Waltham bicycling ventures dating back to the late 19th century, Watch City Bike Lab is a community bicycle workshop operating at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation.

We at the Museum are very excited to have this "group of friends from in and around Waltham who like bikes, like people, and want to help people learn to work on their own bikes."

They encourage you to visit them at the Museum, and they'll "give you free advice on whatever ails your bike and show you how to fix it. [They} can do repairs that don't require disposable parts (e.g. new brake pads or chains). For other repairs [they] can tell you what you need, and if you bring [them] the new parts, [they] can show you how to install them."

Learn more about the Watch City Bike Lab on their website and in the short interview below with two of the founders of Watch City Bike Lab that took place at the end of a busy Sunday running the Bike Lab right outside Museum's front door.

The Mill Girls of New England are an iconic feature of early American industry. More than being a symbol of industrialization, they were the first industrial workforce in the U.S. These working women contributed to the growth of the American industrial economy, challenged the idea that women couldn’t be “breadwinners” and were actively involved in early workers rights movements and trade unions.

Tour length: 45 minute

It is a FREE TOUR which will explore a limited section of our exhibits.

Should you wish to stay and tour the remainder of the Museum, we ask that you please pay our regular admission