Skip to content
The Rhode Island Historical Society

The Rhode Island Historical Society

  • Visit
    • Accessibility
    • John Brown House Museum
    • Museum of Work & Culture
      • All-Ability & Inclusive Programs
    • Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center
    • Aldrich House
    • Event Rentals
  • Membership & Support
    • Membership & Benefits
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Putting Down Roots
  • Engage
    • RIHS Event Calendar
    • Buy Event Tickets
  • Education
    • School Tours
    • Virtual Programs and Resources for Teachers and Homeschool Educators
    • Lesson Plans
    • EnCompass: Rhode Island History Digital Textbook
    • Rhode Island History Journal
    • RHODI – Rhode Island Online Directory Initiative
  • Research
    • Online Catalog
    • Collections
    • Online Galleries
    • Reference and Research Services
    • How to Visit the RRC
    • Publications
    • Current Projects
    • RI Digital Newspaper Project
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Board of Trustees
    • Staff
    • Employment & Internships
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Report & Financial Documents
    • Rhode Island History Maker Awards
    • About Our Squirrel
  • Donate

Museum of Work & Culture

42 South Main Street, Woonsocket RI 02895
Open today from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Buy Tickets

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

The Museum of Work & Culture presents the compelling story of immigrants who came to find a better life in the mill towns along the Blackstone River. Visitors recreate this journey, beginning in a Quebecois farmhouse before making their way to the workday world of Woonsocket at the turn of the century. Guests explore the lives of immigrants at home, work, and school through nine immersive exhibits.

IN OUR CHANGING GALLERY

Over the twentieth century, Woonsocket’s six theaters–the Laurier, the Bijou, the Rialto, the Music Hall, the Park, and the Stadium–hosted a dazzling variety of acts, including vaudeville, Francophone performers, blockbuster film, live performance, and “eggrolls and jazz.” Hollywood Comes to Woonsocket reveals the city’s history as a prime destination for national and international performers. On display through February 15, 2023.

SCHOOL TOURS & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The Museum offers free virtual tours for educational groups, including schools, homeschool families, and distance learners. Please see our School Tours page for details about our free virtual tours and educational programs. You can contact us directly with any questions at mowc@rihs.org

ONLINE GIFT SHOP

Our gift shop items are now available online by visiting shopmowc.com. Shop a selection of history books, locally made products, as well as children’s books and games. Visit shopmowc.com.

What You'll See & Experience Here

  • Take a seat in the parlor of a 1930s Triple Decker house and listen to a radio program of the day.
  • Explore the transformation of this textile city over 200 years on an interactive touch table.
  • Discover the story of Rhode Island’s Merci Boxcar.
  • Shop a variety of local products, including blankets produced by Woonsocket’s last operating textile mill.

Did You Know?

  • Our exhibits are presented in both French and English.
  • Many Woonsocket mill baseball teams produced great players, including Hall of Famer Napolean LaJoie.
  • 1920, 70% of Woonsocket’s population was of French and French Canadian descent.
  • The former Alice Mill on Fairmount Street helped produce the inflatable tanks used by the “ghost army” during World War II.

Events & Programs at Museum of Work & Culture

  • Jan
    28

    America in Color: Hollywood’s Golden Age (Smithsonian Channel Saturday)

    • Film Screening
    • mowc
    • smithsonian
  • Feb
    5

    Valley Talks: 118 Years of History of Chan's Fine Oriental Dining In Woonsocket, RI (1905 to 2023)

    • concert
    • drink
    • food
    • museum of work and culture
    • valley talks 2023
    • woonsocket
  • Feb
    11

    America in Color: 1920s (Smithsonian Channel Saturday)

    • Film Screening
    • mowc
    • smithsonian
  • Feb
    19

    Valley Talks: “B’nai Israel: Woonsocket’s Gorgeous but Little-Known Synagogue”

    • rhode island jewish historical association
    • valley talks
    • Virtual
    • woonsocket
    • zoom
  • Mar
    5

    Valley Talks: Visualizing Franco-American Culture Through French-Canadian Folklore

    • Free
    • French Canadian
    • museum of work and culture
    • valley talks 2023
    • Virtual
    • woonsocket
Hours
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Friday
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday
Closed
Closed: New Year’s Day, Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Rental Information

The Museum of Work & Culture is a beautifully restored mill in historic Market Square Woonsocket. It is an ideal venue for meetings, receptions, birthday parties, showers, and class or family reunions. Click here for more information.

Tickets

Adults: $8
Seniors (62+), Veterans, and Students: $6
Children under 10: FREE with adult
RIHS Members: FREE
EBT Cardholders:  FREE (up to four individuals per EBT card)
Groups of 10 or more: $6 per person with prior reservation

Buy Tickets
Location & Directions

Museum of Work & Culture
42 South Main Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895

Phone: 401-769-9675
Email: mowc@rihs.org

Parking is located in front of the museum, as well as in the municipal lot across the street.

Accessibility
Accessible
Access for Low Vision
Audio Description
More Accessibility Information

    

  • Donate
  • Join
  • About
  • Get in Touch
  • Event Rentals

110 Benevolent Street
Providence, RI 02906
401-331-8575

Learn more about Rhode Island History, access exclusive events and more by sharing your email with us.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: RI Historical Society, 110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI, 02906, http://www.rihs.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Donor Privacy Policy

The Rhode Island Historical Society’s Commitment to Our Donors

We will not sell, share, or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity. We will not send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by RIHS on any platform by any means, both online and offline, as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications. To the extent any donations may be processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.

Website and digital strategy by nabec partners