Mill Talk: 29 Mill Villages – and More

Ashton, Forestdale, Peacedale, Cabotville, Hopedale, Uxbridge, Millville and Slatersville, of course. Along our New England rivers there are more than a hundred small factory villages. Following familiar patterns, they are each unique and fitted to their location. Skipping the big ones (Lowell, Amoskeag, Biddeford), this is the story of the little ones – often isolated in a rural setting, now partially digested into suburban sprawl.
Origins, utopian dreams, hard-luck realities and decay are all part of the story. Waltham started this way, as did nearby Dedham, both on the Charles River.
Author and Photographer Steve Dunwell has been to most of them and tells us about his favorites, with surprising insights.
Dunwell makes photographs of New England – its architecture, landscape, and industry – for publications, for collectors, and for advertising. He has published 17 photo bookd, and manages Back Bay Press.
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