The Lowell Offering: Writings by New England Mill Women

by Benita Eisler (Editor)

The industrial revolution in nineteenth-century New England, in the words of the workers. The Mill Women of Lowell, Massachusetts―the first female industrial wage earners in the United States―were a new social and economic phenomenon in American society. In the 1830s and 1840s, drawn by the highest wages offered to female employees anywhere in America, they sought and found independence and opportunity in the country's first planned industrial community.

Even after long work hours, the women found time and energy to write about their lives and aspirations. From their own literary magazine, the Lowell Offering , here are their letters, stories, essays, and sketches.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Caitlin Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Call me nostalgic bc for whatever reason I really enjoyed reading this collection of Lowell mill girl writings from 1840-45! The mythology of lowell mill girls so infused growing up the Merrimack Valley that it was cool to learn more historical facts about them and see what they had to say for themselves in silly short stories or bad poetry or in diary entries. I’ve learned that I would not have coped well working in the factory but the girlboss-ification of the mills is interesting more generally. Loved when elizanora played the vegetable blanket game and it was sweet when the girls had adventures with oxen in dracut

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

My mom gave me this book years ago, and I started reading it around that time and gave up because I have a hard time slogging through the early 19th century writing style. The pandemic is forcing me to read whatever I have laying around the house now, though. To be honest, while the writing itself is pretty antiquated and difficult to follow (for me at least), this collection sheds light on the social structures and issues of the time, including family, gender, labor, class mobility, and the shift from rural agrarian to urban industrial economy. My mom's side of the family was mostly New England mill workers, though I think they were more of the latter cohort of Irish and French Canadian immigrants who worked around the end of the 19th century. So, I don't know, I guess it was interesting to read given my family's connection to this history.

[Marianne Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

I visited Lowell National Historical Park about 35 years ago and was not exposed to the same positive experience in which these "letterwriters" expressed to their hometowns. These letters, which were written for publication appear to be positive propaganda for the owners of these mills. The writers appears too educated and too appreciative of the infrastructure that was placed to support them as workers. I accept the importance of these writings but I acknowledge that they were not and could not have written by the average farm girl who went to Lowell to work in the mills.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting writings about the Lowell Girls. Some of the writings were all the same. If you are not familiar with the Lowell Mills and that era, I suggest you check this book out.

[ashtin bree]

reading this made me want to die. 🤗

[Soraya Keiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an anthology of essays found in the Lowell Offering literary magazine, this was a super interesting collection of primary sources. I'm writing about the Lowell Mill girls for my History of Sexuality final essay. Because of that class I've found a deeper appreciation for primary sources. This book will be helpful, although not all of it was super relevant for my specific topic.

[colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this in college for a class in 19th century history. very interesting. having just read "sex wars" and now reading a biography of victoria woodhull, i may just have to find my copy of "the lowell offering" and read it again.

[Ris · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty eye-opening, and sometimes heartbreaking first accounts. I wouldn't have read it if I wasn't working on a musical about these women.

[Lorraine Falsone · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far I’m still working on the 40 page introduction