Lowell National Park is a living tribute to the Industrial Revolution in the midst of Lowell, Massachusetts and the "rhythm of the river" has acted as a backbone for the town for generations. Located northwest of Boston in downtown Lowell, this historical park offers visitors a chance to expand their knowledge about the Industrial Revolution and take an in-depth look into the 19th century when the textile industry tapped the waterpower from Merrimack River.

The cultural connection and significance of Lowell National Park to the present and for the future are explained when touring Lowell National Park. The whir of the 1920's weave loom was a common sound in the 19th century when textiles helped the economy flourish. The Lowell National Park primary exhibit exemplifies the Industrial Revolution's rise and fall, and eventual rebirth of Lowell through interactive displays and video programs.

Several exhibits that are overseen by Lowell Mills National Park can be found and explored in downtown Lowell. Exhibits include authentic1920's operating power looms at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and Mills Girls and Immigrants Exhibit located at the Patrick J. Morgan Cultural Center. This exhibit tells the "human story" of the laborers of Lowell during the Industrial Revolution. An exhibit in tribute to Jack Kerouac is on display at Lowell Mills National Park as well and includes a typewriter and backpack he once used. Kerouac, who was born in Lowell on March 12, 1922, wrote a lot of Lowell in his first 17 years of life there in his interesting and inspiring works.

Massachusetts Map

Interpretive museum programs and talks are available in the spring from the end of May to the end of June. Regular museum talks are available daily at Boott Cotton Mils Museum and at the Mills Girls and Immigrants Exhibit in town. Park rangers give a View of Lowell Tour which winds through downtown canal structures and locks and helps to explain the tie between the river and the production and power of Lowell. More detailed information about the lives of the "mills girls" is available on this tour which is free of charge. Tours run Monday to Friday at 2:30pm in the spring and fall and daily in the summer. This is a trolley tour with some walking involved.

There are lots of summer events at Lowell Mills National Park from June to September. Canal boat tours explore the historic resources of the Merrimack River and the Pawtucket Canal on a ranger led tour via boats and trolleys. A small fee is required. A 90 minute tour traveling by boat, trolley and foot along the canal to the river is another several tours and is called the Pawtucket to the River Tour. Exploring Lowell Tours and Views of Lowell Trolley Tours are both free of charge and are also ranger led and explore the rich history of Lowell. There are surprisingly numerous more tours available that explain the history and area of Lowell National Historical Park. Evening rivers cruises, cycling tours, river walks, canoe or kayak tours and more are available. Some are free of charge and some go for a minimal fee.

Lowell National Historical Park is open from May to October. Many of the different exhibits have different operating hours so check with the visitor center in Lowell for further details or check out their website. Getting to Lowell National Historical Park is fairly easy. Commuter rail service is available from Boston's North Station every half hour. By car the drive is not too far from Boston or Cambridge and there is free parking available at Lowell National Historic Park. For more information about directions, most hotels can help and most visitor centers in the Boston/Cambridge area have information available. This is a really fun historical tour to take with many options to keep it fresh. Perfect for a day trip away from the city, add on a lunch or dinner in Lowell to round out the day.