Museum of Work & Culture
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.
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
CHANGING GALLERY
The Museum of Work & Culture will host the traveling exhibit Charting History: Navigating the Currents of Rhode Island’s Past beginning on Friday, July 5th until Saturday, August 24th.
Charting History is a cohesive, chronological, and thematic narrative of Rhode Island’s history. It follows the major threads of commerce, conflict, and conscience to tell the stories of RI and the people who have lived here throughout history up to the present day. This exhibit is designed to introduce visitors to Rhode Island’s rich and varied past.
This exhibition, a joint project of the Newport Historical Society and the Rhode Island Historical Society, was made possible by a grant from the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust.
Upcoming Exhibits
Next fall, in collaboration with the Welcome Blanket Project and Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, the Museum of Work & Culture will present an exhibit in its changing gallery that provides an exciting opportunity for local makers of all ages and abilities, particularly knitters, crocheters, quilters, weavers, sewists, and crafters. Learn more about how you can gift a handmade blanket for the upcoming exhibit to benefit refugee families here.
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.
- Discover the history of the Blackstone River by visiting Flowing Through Time, our new, state-of-the-art interactive exhibit.
Did You Know?
- Our exhibits are presented in both French and English.
- Many Woonsocket mill baseball teams produced great players, including Hall of Famer Napoleon 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
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Oct7
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: $10
Seniors (62+), Veterans, and Students: $8
Children under 10: FREE with adult
RIHS Members: FREE
EBT Cardholders: FREE (up to four individuals per EBT card)
Groups of 10 or more: $8 per person with prior reservation
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.