Tsongas Industrial History Center | Lowell

The Tsongas Industrial History Center (TIHC), located in Lowell, Massachusetts, is an educational partnership between the University of Massachusetts Lowell School of Education and the National Park Service at Lowell National Historical Park. Established in 1991, the center offers immersive, hands-on learning experiences that explore America's industrial past through the lens of Lowell's rich history.

Mission and Educational Philosophy

The TIHC aims to inspire connections with and understandings about America’s industrial past, present, and future through experiential learning using Lowell’s unique resources. The center emphasizes authenticity, collaboration, experiential learning, and relevance, utilizing Lowell's stories, historic landscapes, buildings, and objects to explore the impacts of industrialization on individuals, society, and the world.

Educational Programs

Field Trips

The TIHC provides in-person field trips that immerse students in the industrial history of Lowell. Programs include:

Bale to Bolt: Students experience the textile industry by weaving on handlooms and observing power looms, analyzing how technological changes affected life and work for Americans, both enslaved and free.

Engineer It!: Participants tackle design challenges, applying engineering principles to solve problems.

Power to Production: Students test water wheels for efficiency, design and build a working canal system to harness waterpower, and discover the technology and natural resources that powered the mills.

Yankees and Immigrants: Learners become history detectives to explore cultures and communities over time.

Workers on the Line: Participants work on an assembly line to discover how workers sought to improve their working conditions and lives.

River as a Classroom: Students engage in ecological studies on the Merrimack River, performing water quality tests and identifying filtering solutions for pollution in the water supply.

Community Connections: Through hands-on activities and objects, students discover commonalities with children from around the world.

Each program includes a full day of age-appropriate, hands-on workshops and tours of historic National Park sites led by professional educators. All programs are tied to curriculum standards and developed for students in particular grades.

Virtual Field Trips

For remote learning, the TIHC offers interactive, live online programs that allow students to explore industrial history and science from their classrooms or homes. These virtual field trips provide flexibility and accessibility for diverse learning environments.

Professional Development

The center offers professional development opportunities for educators, including workshops and resources that integrate primary sources and hands-on activities into teaching practices. Educators can earn professional development points and even graduate credit for their participation.

Summer Camps

TIHC's summer camps provide students with opportunities to explore history, science, and nature through engaging, hands-on activities. These camps are designed to inspire curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Planning a Visit

To plan a visit, educators and groups can contact the TIHC to make reservations. Reservations for the 2025-2026 school year begin on May 1, 2025. The center recommends reviewing program descriptions and considering the specific needs of your group before making a reservation. Detailed information on planning a visit, including itineraries, fees, and logistical considerations, is available on the TIHC's website.

Location and Contact Information

The Tsongas Industrial History Center is located at 115 John Street, Boott Mills Museum, 3rd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 978-970-5080 or visit the TIHC's website.

Through its innovative programs and commitment to experiential learning, the Tsongas Industrial History Center plays a vital role in preserving and interpreting the industrial heritage of Lowell, providing valuable educational experiences that connect the past with the present and inspire future generations.