Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park First Strike Festival

Join us for community celebration and 200-year commemoration of the first industrial worker's strike in the United States.

Hosted at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 12 PM - 4 PM in downtown Pawtucket, RI.

THINGS TO DO:

Tours and Talks

• Tour Slater Mill with a ranger (10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, or 2:30 PM)

Meet in front of Slater Mill – limited to 25 persons  

• Drop in for a Labor History Talk with a ranger (offered on the hour, 1, 2, 3)

Meet in the Slater Mill Bell Tower  

• First Strike History Open Air Presentation with a ranger (11:30 AM, 3:30 PM)

Outdoor discussion led by a ranger   

Music and Dancing

• Groove with local musicians and explore the park grounds
• See a performance by students from the Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Arts
• Dance around a maypole and play old time games

Additional Demonstrations and Activities

• Check out a pop-up exhibit on 200 of Labor History created with students from Providence College
• Learn how objects from the past can teach us about our world today with Everyday Anthropology
• See fiber arts demonstrations with Wedges of Time and see the Rhode Island Spinning Guild at work
• Pick up a history poster and meet the Rhode Island Labor History Society
• Meet the Rhode Island Master Gardeners