Exploring Southern New England’s legacy as a pioneer in the Industrial Revolution, an innovator in engineering, and a wellspring for technological development and progress.

From the earliest textile mills along the Blackstone and Merrimack rivers to the iron furnaces in cranberry country and the armories along the Connecticut River, the three states of Southern New England have distinguished themselves as centers of pioneering industrial effort. Although the region is no longer a major industrial power, it is still rich with both the curious artifacts of its manufacturing past and to living enterprises — from brick works to paper mills to iron foundries and more — that continue to compete, struggle and sometimes thrive.

Today, the Southern New England Chapter (SNEC) of the Society for Industrial Archeology (SIA) keeps that legacy alive. Through our chapter newsletter, our annual conference on New England industrial archeology and, most importantly, our exclusive tours of industrial sites — most of them active, working factories otherwise inaccessible to the general public — we explore the places, lives and ideas of our industrial heritage.

SNEC members include engineers, architects, professors, archeologists, technicians, historians and the just plain inquisitive — people fascinated by machines, engines, steam, rail, iron, textiles, canals and more.

We invite you to explore our website. And if the smell of grease, the sight of red-hot steel and the din of working looms excite you, we encourage you to become a member and join us in our real-world explorations as well.

SNEC members get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at antique steam, gas and diesel marine engines stored at Mystic Seaport (August 19, 2006). Photo by Dave Laun.

© SNEC SIA