Mill Girl Discovery Kit and Resource Book

Available year-round

"There is no place where one can be more alone with their own thoughts and uninterruptedly follow a train of associations than amid the confused sounds of factory machinery."   -  Selinda Hill Holt

Come in for a view of Selinda Hill Holt's world, a look into the life of a New England mill girl during the 1800's.

The Historical Society has put together a teacher resource book and copies of Selinda's journals to create a primary source research project. Students begin with copies of her journal. The resource book includes copies of actual text, transcriptions of both her journal and poetry, copies of actual Phoenix Mill weaver and payroll pages, a glossary of terms, teaching ideas, projects, recipes from the time period, a list of additional reading and a list of New Hampshire Curriculum standards address through the booklet.

In addition, we went through Selinda's journal and identified artifacts in our collection students could view first hand. From a spindle and a shuttle, to clothing and "personal adornment," students and see and touch items from the past to help make Selinda's world more real for them. The items are packed in a trunk ready to visit your school!

New Hampshire's Social Studies Standards addressed via this program include curriculum standards: #11, 13, 15, 16

Copies of the journals, a resource book, and Discovery Kit is available year-round for ConVal and Jaffrey/Rindge schools to borrow. Copies of the resource book and journals are also available for purchase.

Contact us for more information.