Boott Cotton Mills Museum115 John Street
Hours of OperationThe Boott Cotton Mills Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ![]() James Higgins Information DeskThe Information Desk is the perfect place to start your visit to the Boott Cotton Mills Museum. Talk to a park ranger to learn more about the museum and to purchase your ticket (prices below). This is also where you can purchase an America the Beautiful Parks Pass and sign up for tours. The Boott Cotton Mills Museum also has its own passport stamp, which you can find here. Museum Entry Prices*: Adults - $6.00 Seniors (62+) - $4.00 Youths (6-16) - $3.00 Students (16+ with ID) - $4.00 Children (5 and under) - FREE *Museum prices can be discounted if you have an America the Beautiful Parks Pass, or if you purchase a package deal which includes a boat tour. NPS Weave RoomPast the Information Desk lies one of the museum’s highlights: an expansive weave room packed with over eighty historic power looms from the 1920s that is still weaving cotton cloth! Experience just a fraction of what Lowell’s mill girls and immigrant laborers would have seen, heard, smelled and felt when they worked in the mills. Talk with our friendly and knowledgeable weavers to learn more about how textiles are made. ![]() James Higgins Museum ExhibitsLowell: Visions of Industrial America ExhibitThe main exhibit at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, Lowell: Visions of America covers Lowell’s history from the time it was known as East Chelmsford in the 1700s through the modern day, with a focus on Lowell’s time as a leading innovator and economic center in the American Industrial Revolution. Oral history videos highlight real mill workers’ experiences in these factories, and interactive activities let you try your hand at making thread and cloth! A park ranger or volunteer is always available on the second floor to answer questions offer talks about Lowell history. ![]() Lewis Hines Child Labor: Documentary Photography and the Quest for Reform ExhibitThis exhibit centers on the work of two photographers, Lewis Wickes Hines and Dr. David L. Parker, who documented the injustices of child labor to bring attention to the children's plight. Hines images, captured in the early 20th century, highlight child workers across America. Dr. Parker's images reflect the international experience of child workers in the 1990s. Taken all together, the images convey the severity and extent of this global problem. Boott Museum TheaterExplore the history of the Industrial Revolution by watching the Wheels of Change video. This 27 minute film explores how American life rapidly changed from 1800 to 1900. The film is played every half hour. ![]() Kerouac @ 100 Visions of Kerouac Special ExhibitMarch 18th - April 15thIn honor of Jack Kerouac's centennial birthday, join Lowell Naitonal Historical Park and the Kerouac @ 100 Committee for the Visions of Kerouac special exhibit. This unique special exhibit will include the return of a portion of the original On The Road scroll. The scroll in its entirety stretches to 120 feet and is one of the most extraordinary and highly valued manuscripts in American literary history. It will be on loan from The Jim Irsay Collection. Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, has a renowned collection which includes historic and iconic artifacts from rock music, American history and pop culture. The 24-foot portion will be available for viewing along with archival books, writings, personal objects, and photographs including never-before-seen images of Jack Kerouac taken by fellow Beat Generation pioneer Allen Ginsberg. There will also be a collection of photographs by John Suiter.Visit our Jack Keoruac Centennial page to learn more! NPS Park StoreLooking for a guide to the park's history and culture? Searching for an educational souvenir of your visit to Lowell? Start your search at the Park Store. America's National Parks, the park's cooperating association, operates on the first floor of the Boott Cotton Mills Museum. A portion of America's National Parks' proceeds are returned to the park. ParkingThe Boott Cotton Mills Museum is a 10 minute walk from the Visitor Center (246 Market Street) and the Hamilton Canal Innovation District parking garage (350 Dutton Street). Parking in this garage (only) is available to National Park visitors at no cost provided they obtain a valid parking voucher at either the Visitor Center or at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum.If you would like to park closer to the museum, parking is available for a fee at city garages or on metered street parking. Disability designated parking spaces are provided in the city parking garage at 75 John Street. The garage has a hight limitation of 6' 8" for vehicles. Vehicles that display disability license plates or a hanging placard may also park at no cost in and designated parking space within the City of Lowell. AccessibilityFor Visitors With Mobility Impairments:The Boott Cotton Mills Museum is fully accessible. A wheelchair loan is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and is free of charge. Inquire at the National Park Service information desk for more information.Service dogs are welcomed throughout the Park, on tours and in all facilities. For more information about service animals, please refer to the ADA service dog guidelines. For Visitors With Hearing Impairments:A variety of written information is available in the Boott Cotton Mills Museum information desk. All films throughout the museum feature captions. Please ask a staff member for more information.Places to Go |
Last updated: May 23, 2022