Project History

Built by Charles Fletcher, an English immigrant who had acquired his knowledge of wool manufacturing from the famous worsted mills of Bradford England, the original National and Providence Worsted Mills were built in 1887 on the grounds of Fletcher’s original mill which had been destroyed by fire.

 

Located in the heart of Providence’s Textile valley, the complex consisted of eight major buildings on 10 acres which adjoined the Woonasquatucket river and the Rising Sun Mill pond. The mills were once the largest worsted wool producer in the United States capable of taking wool from its raw form through a full production process to produce fabric for overcoats, suits and cloaks. At its height in 1893 the two mills employed more than 750 people and produced more than 900,000 yards of worsted goods yearly.