Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Field Trip!

We had an awesome field trip to the oldest textile mill in American yesterday, Slater Mill. The kids (and me too!) learned all about how the water power was used to power the machines and help make the cotton, wool, and fabrics!
 First we spent time in the Wilkinson Mill, which was were they made the parts for the textile mill.
 We learned about the how the mill was build along the Pawtucket River since it had powerful energy to power a water wheel.
 Seriously, an amazingly gorgeous day to be there!
We got to go into the water wheel room, it's been in operation (with up keep, etc) since that mill building opened in 1810, to think they put that together without home depot, power tools, or fork lifts is  impressive. 
Then the kids got to work an assembly line and see what it was like to be a child laborer back then. One would turn the power source, one would sand a bobbin, or drill a whole in the bobbin, or sand a tool. They were complaining about how tired they were after two minutes! They also looked adorable in work goggles and gloves!
Then in the other building we learned all about how cotton goes from plant to fiber and all about the machines they used way back when. These spindles were part of a machine that makes something like a shoelace.
Such a fun trip, the kids loved it. I learned so many things. Like, did you know that the expression "sleep tight" comes from the fact that beds had ropes strung across the frame to hold up the "mattress" and with 4 or 5 people the ropes more often than not sagged in the night!

Most importantly, the kids clearly learned so many things, which makes it all worth it!

17 thoughts on the matter:

Leovi said... {Reply}

Beautiful pictures, beautiful experience for children. Greetings.

Jen Price said... {Reply}

Looks like such a fun and educational outing for the kids! I never knew where that expression came from. So funny!

deb duty said... {Reply}

That's really interesting and looks like a fun trip!

Buckeroomama said... {Reply}

I love field trips --especially fun, educational ones. I'm sure the children all enjoyed it. :)

Sherri B. said... {Reply}

This looks like a great field trip...and perfect weather! And I loved the "sleep tight" trivia - I had no idea.

Secret Mom Thoughts said... {Reply}

I love field trips. Looks like a good one.

Anonymous said... {Reply}

Oh I loved the ole school field trips...so many good memories. Thanks for sharing. I am a new follower now! I thought I already was...but I guess I wasn't...silly me.
Laurie @ Pride in Photos

Pieni Lintu said... {Reply}

Great shots! :)

Unknown said... {Reply}

How fun! It looks like a wonderful place to visit!

Anonymous said... {Reply}

sounds really interesting :) visiting from 'communal global' wishing you a happy Tuesday. xxo

renae said... {Reply}

Oh such an interesting field trip for inquisitive minds. I loved your photograph of the water rolling through their layers. So cool.

Yes weekend was crazy but my computer is loving me again and I am loving it!!!!!!

Husband is resting today.

Lynn Wood said... {Reply}

Ya know, I haven't been on a field trip for years. Thanks so much for taking us along, it was so fun to learn a new thing or two!!

~Lynn

Anita Johnson said... {Reply}

Field trips...I almost forgot that part of teaching!

Sharon said... {Reply}

Beautiful shots! I especially love the colored bobbins and the old stairs. This looks like a fun field trip and you documented it well!

tinajo said... {Reply}

Love the shots and it seems interesting! :-)

Vision By Mila said... {Reply}

interesting.. would love to learn about that too.. wonder if we have such a museum around here..

Honey Mommy said... {Reply}

What fun! That looks like an interesting and educational field trip. I would love to go!