In addition to authoring the 2014 law to establish the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, he has delivered over $6.5 million in federal appropriations since that time to help advance the national historic park. Senator Reed has worked for decades to create a national historic park in Rhode Island. The national historical park is a non-contiguous string of museums, parks, historic buildings, and waterways that encompass areas of the Blackstone River, the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Now, through this transfer, the historic preservation torch is being passed to the National Park Service, which can bring new preservation and operating resources to the effort to permanently protect this special place and the natural beauty of the area and share it with future generations,” said Senator Reed, noting that the transfer will allow the federal government to support and protect historic Slater Mill and make it a keystone of the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. But COVID-19 has impacted them, just like other non-profits, and brought into stark relief the need for stable federal funding to maintain this nationally significant gem. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Old Slater Mill Association for saving and preserving this national treasure. Slater Mill paved the way for America to become an industrial power. “The wheels of history turned right here in Pawtucket by individuals and workers whose innovation and ingenuity sparked advances in technology and forever changed America.
The Park Service has already been working closely with OSMA for several years to take over responsibility for the historic district. National Park Service (NPS) by the Old Slater Mill Association (OSMA), which acquired them a century ago. The buildings are being officially transferred to the U.S. The other historic buildings within the unit being transferred include Sylvanus Brown House, built in 1758, and Wilkinson Mill, which was added in 1810. Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, and former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Interior & Environment, wrote and passed a 2014 law, which was folded into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), directing the National Park Service to establish the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, including requiring the acquisition of Slater Mill.Ĭompleted in 1793, on the banks of the Blackstone River, Slater Mill is the first successful water-powered spinning mill in the United States, and helped set America’s Industrial Revolution in motion. National Park Service’s acquisition of Slater Mill and other key historic buildings that comprise the Old Slater Mill Historic District. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced the U.S.
PAWTUCKET, RI - Noting the historic importance of Slater Mill and exciting new opportunities for conservation, historic preservation, tourism, economic growth, education, and recreation, U.S. Move is critical to preserving historic site and helping Blackstone Valley realize its future economic development potential
Reed Announces Slater Mill to be Transferred to U.S.