Family Ties & Industrial Bonds: The Partnership of Brown, Almy, and Slater

Explore the early New England history of industrialization and textile mills.

When Samuel Slater arrived in Rhode Island in January of 1790, few would have guessed that he was primed for success in the new United States. Yet, by the end of his life in 1835, Slater was obscenely wealthy, and his name was inextricably linked to the origins of American industry. This was due, in part, to his association with the Browns of Providence. During this lecture Allison Horrocks will explore the connections between Moses Brown, William Almy, and Samuel Slater. These men were among the early partners who provided ideas, financing, and labor that launched the American Industrial Revolution.

This event is part of our 2026 program series exploring textile history in ​connection with the Carpenter Museum’s newest exhibit “Woven Histories: The Art and Labor of Early American Textiles”.

This event is free and open to the public.

About Allison Horrocks

Allison Horrocks is a public historian specializing in labor history. Allison currently works as a Park Ranger at Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park in Pawtucket, RI. Previously, Allison worked at Lowell National Historical Park and several other historic sites in New England. She earned her Ph.D. in History at the University of Connecticut and is the co-author of Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl. She lives in Lincoln, RI.

The lecture will start at 6:30PM. Registration is encouraged. The event will be held in the Tilton Room at the Carpenter Museum, 4 Locust Avenue.

Parking can be found in the back lot behind the museum off of Bay State Road.

If you have quesitons email [email protected] or call us at 508-252-3031.

This event is sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

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Host or Publisher Carpenter Museum