On Monday, February 24, the Museum of Work and Culture and the Woonsocket Harris Public Library will host the next program in their bi-monthly free educational series for homeschool families.
February’s program will begin at the Museum at 10:00am, where families will gather on the mill floor to learn the history of child labor and unionization. Children will be introduced to the important vocabulary terms related to work and labor and try first-hand some of the jobs they would have been expected to perform in mills at the turn of the 20th-century. They will then compete in teams in an assembly line activity before moving to the union hall exhibit to learn more about how working conditions were changed.
At 11:30am, the event will continue at the Woonsocket Harris Public Library where AFSCME Local 670 Union President Robin Salome will offer a short presentation further explaining how unionization began and why it is still important today. Children will then have a mock union meeting where they will elect a president, secretary, treasurer, etc. to vote on important topics. But watch out, we’ve heard rumors of a protest!
All ages are welcome but program is recommended for ages 7+. Space is limited to 50 participants and registration is required. Please email mowc@rihs.org for reservations.
Future program dates include:
Monday, April 20: La Survivance & La Sentinelle: The Fight to Preserve Faith, Language & Culture