Family Business: The Drapers, Whitins, and the Rise of Industry

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

Special Event
  • Mar 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
  • Free

Register

Reservations are required. Maximum capacity of the program is 45. This is a FREE program but reservations are required.

In the early 19th century, a number of families in the Blackstone Valley used their land and talents to create small businesses. Within a few decades, some of these enterprises grew into industrial empires. During this talk, Park Ranger Allison Horrocks (Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park) will discuss two of these families: the Drapers of Hopedale and the Whitins of Northbridge. How did the Drapers and Whitins leverage their abilities to make textile businesses? What were the differences between their business models and resulting company towns? Learn about these two experiments in industry in the historic Little Red Shop Museum located in Hopedale, Massachusetts.

This event is being held at the Little Red Shop Museum, 12 Hopedale Street, Hopedale, MA.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Little Red Shop, 12 Hopedale Street, Hopedale, MA

Latitude and Longitude 42.133698, -71.544036

Schedule

Date:

Mar 23, 2025

Time:

1:00 PM

Duration:

2 hours

Contact Information

Allison Horrocks
401-318-4883
Contact Us

Event Type

  • Talk