A Legacy of Innovation: Rhode Island’s Economic History is a powerful session in the Professional Development Series for Teachers, presented by Dr. C. Morgan Grefe, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Held at the Old Slater Mill National Historical Landmark in Pawtucket, this session traces Rhode Island’s transformation from a colonial trade hub into a cornerstone of American industrial growth.

Focusing on key economic milestones—such as the founding of the first water-powered textile mill in the U.S.—the session dives into how the state’s innovations impacted labor, immigration, and national prosperity. While no formal slide deck is provided, Dr. Grefe’s deep expertise brings this legacy to life with insights educators can use to connect economic history to social and civic development in the classroom.