Our last day in Boston!
Today we went up to Lowell to learn about the textile mills. I can say I really don’t know much about the Industrial Revolution, so I knew today would really be a learning experience. Seeing the actual machines, and then seeing them operate, was pretty fascinating. I took some video of it because I want my students to be able to hear how loud it would have been in a factory- and that was without all of the machines running. After we saw that we went up to the musuem on the top floor- what an incredible job they have done. I thought the best part were the video clips that were around the room. How meaningful to hear the stories of the mills told by the people who were actually there. They didn’t sugarcoat anything, they just told it exactly as they experienced it. To me that had the most impact, and I was drawn into watching all of them. I would love to have a video like that to show the students, that way it doesn’t just explain about the factories and what life was like, it actually makes it more real and like you can actually feel (as much as we can) what they went through. Because I had seen those and was fascinated by their stories, I was a little disappointed with the slide show we saw in the other musuem. I understand they need to give background information, and a general view of the industrial revolution/life in factories, but I thought it was too positive. What about all the terrible working conditions? What about what the girls went through living in the towns and working in the factories? What about the wages (or lack of) they were paid? These are just as important and I think they should have also been addressed, but I guess in a 15-20 min. clip you can’t cover everything.
I also really enjoyed the boat tour, what a beautiful way to see the canals and to get an explanation of how they work- very interesting!
It was a great way to end a great trip! This has been an experience I won’t forget, and I really appreciate everything I have learned and been able to see. I feel very fortunate that I was able to partake in such a great adventure with a great group of people!
