Ranger Marcy’s Rails, Rivers, Trails & Mills Fact Sheet!
Can you think of why the mills were built by the rivers?
Think about how fast water in the rivers can travel, and that can make a lot of power!
From wikipedia:Hydropower or water power (from the Greek: ύδωρ, "water" ) is power derived from the energy of falling water or fast running water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since ancient times, hydropower from many kinds of watermills has been used as a renewable energy source for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices, such as gristmills, sawmills, textile mills, trip hammers, dock cranes, domestic lifts, and ore mills. A trompe, which produces compressed air from falling water, is sometimes used to power other machinery at a distance.
In the late 19th century, hydropower became a source for generating electricity. Cragside in Northumberland was the first house powered by hydroelectricity in 1878[1] and the first commercial hydroelectric power plant was built at Niagara Falls in 1879. In 1881, street lamps in the city of Niagara Falls were powered by hydropower.
After the mills were built their employees worked very hard. The workers used all sorts of machinery and they made or manufactured lots of different things.
What kinds of things do you think they made?
How old do you think the workers were?
Did you know that entire families worked in mills? Right here in Willimantic this happened as well as all over the region. Young children worked in the mills and factories, too.
How many hours a day did they work?
Many worked 12 hours a day, from 6 in the morning until 6 at night!
What about time for school or playing?
Only the well-to-do families sent their children to school, while others worked in the mills, or if they lived in more rural areas, worked on the family farm.
As the mill workers made all of these things, how do you think they got them out of the mills and delivered to other places that wanted to buy them? Like say if they wanted to send them from Willimantic to New York City, how would they do it many years ago?
Doesn’t it make sense that:
- Mills were built on the rivers, to use the water’s power
- Railroads were built so trains could pick up and deliver to & from the mills
- This is why we see so many mills buildings, rail trails, and rivers in our region, just like in Willimantic!
CT Eastern Railroad Musuem
Open: May - October, Saturdays 10:00AM – 4:00PMSundays 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Entrance at Bridge St. – Willimantic, CT, proceed down the gravel road.
Tours, train rides, FUN!
Coming up soon!
5th Annual Railroad Day, Saturday, Sept. 3rd, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Admission – (does not include food, beverage or train rides) = Adults $7.00, Children (8-12) $3.00, Under 8 free!
Program – Food & beverages available for purchase, Train rides $3 (adults), $2 (children)
Turntable & Gallows Signal demonstrations, Handcar rides, Museum tours throughout the day, Equipment displays – locomotives & cars
Live music starting at Noonfeaturing Bruce John, Duke York, Jack Collins and Ed Bradley
LOTS OF WALKTOBER OFFERINGS!
GET YOUR WALKTOBER BROCHURE NOW TO SEE WHERE YOU CAN WALK THE RAIL TRAILS WITH RAY!
Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum – Visit Railroad Ray & Friends!
Windham Textile & History Museum (The Mill Museum)
Open: Fri, Sat & Sun – 10 am – 4 pm
411 Main Street; Willimantic, CT 06226, Phone: 860-456-2178, E-mail:
Admission: Adults: $7.00 • Students, Seniors $5 • Groups: $4
Museum Members & Kids Club Members: Free
Guided Tours: Sunday 2:00 pm. Self-Guided Tours are during hours of operation.
Features!
Educational resources: Field Trips, Films, Classroom Activities , Teacher’s Resources, Kids Club
Exhibits: Both Permanent & Temporary Exhibits are on display for your enjoyment.
LOTS OF WALKTOBER OFFERINGS!
GET YOUR WALKTOBER BROCHURE NOW TO SEE WHERE YOU CAN LEARN LOCAL HISTORY WITH BEV & HER MILL MUSEUM TEAM!
Windham Textile & History Museum – Visit Bev, Jamie & Friends!
Willimantic Public Library
Open: Mon, Wed, Fri: 9 – 5. Tues, Thurs: 12 – 8. Sat, Sun: Closed.
905 Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226, Adult Dept: 860-465-3079, Children's Dept: 860-465-3082
Always Fun Things!
Kids & Teens Programs (including homework help for kids), News & Events, Art Gallery, and a new project called the Frog City Stories Project!
Willimantic Public Library – Visit Mrs. Z!
P 860-774-3300 E thelastgreenvalley.org
203B Main Street (2nd floor),P.O. Box 29, Danielson, CT 06239-0029 P.O. Box 186, Southbridge, MA 01550