The Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation is located in what was, for 117 years, the Boston Manufacturing Company — the first fully integrated textile mill in the world, and the precursor to the famous mill cities and towns that followed in Lowell, Lawrence, Nashua, Chicopee, Saco/Biddeford, and many more. 

The brainchild of Francis Cabot Lowell, what happened here established America's first industrial dynasty and propelled the transformation of the young United States from an agrarian nation into an industrial powerhouse.

Author Chaim M. Rosenberg

Chaim M. Rosenberg's book, "The Life and Times of Francis Cabot Lowell," chronicles the life of its visionary subject, what inspired Francis Cabot Lowell, and what he and those he recruited to manifest his vision of American self-sufficiency ultimately achieved.

In this talk, Mr. Rosenberg will lead us on a journey from Lowell's 1775 birth, through his career as a shipping merchant, on to his transformational sojourn to England and Scotland where he extensively toured the great British textile mills. Upon returnng to the United States in 1812 Francis Cabot Lowell set about to implement his vision for helping the United States earn their financial independence from the British Empire through industrialization.

After a long career as a psychiatrist, Chaim M. Rosenberg turned his attention to research and write about the American industrial revolution that had its start with cotton textiles in early 19th century Massachusetts. His 2007 book "Goods for Sale" describes the products made, using water, steam and then electric power. His 2011 book describes the extraordinary "Life and Times of Francis Cabot Lowell, 1775-1817". In his 2015 book "Yankee Colonies Across America" Rosenberg describe thes great migration that seeded New England ideas and enterprise across the nation. And his 2019 book will explore the International Harvester Company, once America's leader in farm equipment, tractors and trucks.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Advance registration, on Eventbrite, is requested.

Doors open 30 minutes prior to the start of the talk.

Light refreshments will be served.

This Mill Talk is generously sponsored by The Lowell Institute.