It seemed appropriate this year to feature a theme that kept me close to home, so I give you my A to Z within the small acreage that is Rhode Island. I tried to be creative (you’ll see!) but I hope you learn something about Little Rhody, too. Whether you’ve lived here all your life, grew up within the boundaries, or have never set foot on one of our many beaches, come along for a virtual tour.
The Lippitt mill, home to cotton textile manufacturing, was built in 1809, making it the third oldest mill in Rhode Island after John Slater’s in Slatersville, RI and Samuel Slater’s Slater Mill in Pawtucket.
The original partnership was formed in November 1809 with (Revolutionary War) Colonel Christopher Lippitt, his brother Charles Lippitt, Benjamin Aborn, George Jackson, Amasa Mason, and William Mason. Following the War of 1812, there was an economic depression, and the company survived by supplying yarn to a Vermont prison, for convicts to weave. Throughout the 19th century, the company grew to become a profitable enterprise, and generations of Lippitts were involved in the running of the mill.
In 1889, the Lippitt assets were sold to the firm of B.B. Knight and Robert Knight, founders of Fruit of the Loom. In 1925, B.B. Knight sold the property to the owner of the Riverpoint Lace Works. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The manufacturing of lace ended in the early 1970s, and recently, renovation work was begun to convert the mill and adjacent buildings into residences.
All of our mills are being transformed too. The historical society gives a great tour of the mill in my hometown. They do a great job bringing the history of the building to life. We even got to go down into the bottom to see where the river runs through and use to power them. It was a lot of fun. Weekends In Maine
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Oh, I got this vision of a bunch of raggedy convicts sitting in a circle knitting scarves. Been a long day.
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Wow, so much history in such a small state!
Beth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
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Glad to know about Lippit.
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Let me know if there will be a fact test at the end of this, I’ll have to start taking notes. So many interesting facts and places.
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Thanks, Martha. I could tell by looking at the building that it is very old, but I did not know the history. You are an absolute repository! Hope to see you out and about. Nancy
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Looking forward to returning to AJ’s, Nancy!
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Hari Om
Oh yes, I like that building very much – and can imagine it being converted into some very fine apartments! YAM xx
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Good to see the building will still be used. It would be nice to live somewhere with a bit of history.
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Thanks, Linda. I’m happy to see the old mill buildings put to use.
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That’s quite a history.
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