The town of Lowell, Massachusetts was founded in the 1820s and planned with the focus of manufacturing textiles. 20 years later, the factories in Lowell employed about 8,000 workers who were mostly women and children.
A typical work day was from 5 am until 7 pm, Monday through Saturday (around 73 hours a week). Two male overseers would manage around 80 women in a factory room while working on machines. Windows were kept closed even through warm summer months to keep the best conditions for the thread that was being worked with. Workers lived year-around in nearby boarding houses with curfews and rules. Up to six women would share a single bedroom.
In 1834 and 1836 workers organized strikes and formed a labor union called the Factory Girls Association due to proposals to lower wages and increasing worker's rent. Started in 1845, the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association organized to improve worker's conditions. They joined with other local factories to push for 10 hour work days. By hiring more immigrant workers for lower wages and new technology, the mills were closed or moved to the South by the mid 20th century.
