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.
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.
