Loom and Spindle

Harriet H. Robinson (1825 - 1911)

Harriet Robinson was a frequent contributor to the famous monthly periodical, "The Lowell Offering", which featured poetry, essays and fiction written between 1840-1845 by the young female textile workers (ages 15-35) known as Lowell Mill Girls, living in the innovative Lowell, Massachusetts textile mills communities. Articles published therein describe their living conditions, where they came from, how they felt about their jobs, challenges met, bosses, new experiences and education they received. Rev. A.C. Thomas who organized and edited the publication, found in these factory girls a good field for the application of his belief that women have the right and the ability to express their thoughts, both in speaking and in writing. In his own words, "...and thus was published ... the first magazine or journal written exclusively by women in all the world." Harriet continued writing for the rest of her life, including this book, largely in support of women's education, independence and suffrage. (Summary by ~ Michele Fry)

Genre(s): Modern (19th C)

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Introduction Michele Fry
00:05:27
Play 01 Ch 1, Lowell Sixty Years Ago Michele Fry
00:35:42
Play 02 Ch 2. Child-Life in the Lowell Cotton Mills Ronell
00:17:25
Play 03 Ch 3. The Little Mill-Girl's Alma Mater Michele Fry
00:27:04
Play 04 Ch 4. The Characteristics of the Early Factory Girls Pam Flaherty
00:42:33
Play 05 Ch 5. Characteristics (Continued) Zoe Martinez
00:20:07
Play 06 Ch 6 The Lowell Offering and its Writers Adam Starks
00:18:01
Play 07 Ch 7. The Lowell Offering (Continued) Ciufi Galeazzi
00:33:24
Play 08 Ch 8.1. Brief Biographies of some of the Writers: Harriot F. Curtis, The Currier Sisters, Eliza Jane Cate, Betsey Chamberlain, Harriet Farley Michele Fry
00:27:06
Play 09 Ch 8.2 Brief Biographies: Margaret F. Foley, Lydia .S Hall, Harriot Jane Hanson, Emmeline Larcom Michele Fry
00:26:52
Play 10 Ch 8.3 Brief Biographies: Lucy Larcom Pam Flaherty
00:33:50
Play 11 Ch 8.4 Brief Biographies: Sarah Shedd, Elizabeth Emerson Turner, Clementine Averill Pam Flaherty
00:30:53
Play 12 Ch 9. The Cotton Factory of To-day Michele Fry
00:20:46