Many young women left their homes on the farm in order to earn money and have a different life style. The mills at Lowell accepted them with open arms. The mill girls worked long 14 hour days and their lives were controlled by a series of bells, telling them when to awaken in the morning, take breaks, end the work day, etc. Most of the girls lived in boardinghouses, owned by the mills and tended by an older women. The girls ate in luxurious dining rooms but were crammed into bedrooms, with many sleeping two to a bed.
Students have a taken the part of a mill girl and written a letter home.
Children are now spending time typing these up in the computer lab, responding to feedback, drawing pictures and then scanning the pictures. I'll keep you informed as project continues. We now have an official Ward School Web Site.