This site is designed to show, through multiple perspectives, the lives of those who lived and worked in the Southern Textile Mill Communities.
The People. Most textile mill workers lived in the mill villages surrounding the mill. Throughout this site, the lives of these workers have been detailed. Special attention has been paid to the women and children who make up these communities. Students should also take note of those who are not mentioned - what type of people were not welcome in these communities?
Multiple Perspectives. For each aspect, students should note the multiple perspectives shown. Both positive, negative, and neutral facets of this way of life are shown.
Media. Audio, visual, and text media were used to help students learn to use and derive information and knowledge from multiple forms of information. By using and examining multiple forms of media, students are able to "see" history in a more in depth and intricate way.
Media. Audio, visual, and text media were used to help students learn to use and derive information and knowledge from multiple forms of information. By using and examining multiple forms of media, students are able to "see" history in a more in depth and intricate way.
Do not take every source at face value. Look for the information “between the lines”. What is the tone of each excerpt? What may the image or narrator not be telling you? In the images look at expressions, backgrounds, clothing, type of people shown (age, gender, race), and what did the photographer not include in the image (cropping).
How to use this site. Using the links at the top of each page, students should navigate through the different aspects of Textile Mill Village life. These aspects include: the Mill Village, Mill Life, "One Long Mill Village", and Lintheads: Insult or Badge of Honor? Each page will present students with a different aspect of life for the people who made up these mill villages.
Once students have read, listened to, or viewed each excerpt, answer the questions listed below each item. These will help you to understand the full importance of the multiple aspects as well as discover the indefinite and subjective information presented.
When you are done viewing the entire site, analyze what you have learned. What is your opinion on the lives of these workers? There is no correct way to feel. Perhaps you feel that these workers were controlled in most aspects of their lives, working from a young age and gaining few skills to improve their lives. Or perhaps, you feel that these workers grew up and lived in loving, familial communities where they could lead fulfilling and family oriented lives. It is also possible that you think that the “truth” lies somewhere in between.
Whatever opinion you form, the object of this site is that you have formed one. I hope that from this lesson, you take the importance of looking at information from multiple perspectives to form opinions and make informed decisions.
Your journey into the life of a Southern Textile Mill Worker begins below.
Students should begin by watching this video about Oakdale Cotton Mills, the longest continuously running cotton mill in the United States. After viewing the video, answer the questions below. This is the format that you will follow as you move throughout this site.
Questions
- What phrases and descriptions about the mill village do you remember from the video?
- How does this video show that the cotton mill communities were “just like a family”?
- How do the people interviewed feel about their time working at the mill?
- What aspects of mill life do you think this video may not present?
