|
By the turn of the century more than two million
American children worked. They held a variety of jobs, but in
Connecticut many worked in textile mills. Although working conditions
for child laborers got progressively better over time, these children
still worked long hours in less than ideal working conditions
for low wages. In 1904, the National Child Labor Committee was
formed, but children were not protected from unsafe labor until
the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed in 1938.
|
|
Hop River Warp Company Employees
Willimantic, 1887
Photo CD: 2800
File: Img0077.pcd
|
In order to help
their families, children would often lie about their age to gain
employment. The boys and girls in this picture were all employed
at the Hop River Warp Company. The youngest employees would be
assigned such jobs as sweeping floors or sorting the cotton or
other raw material.
|
|
Boys at Work on Machinery, Cheney Brothers
Manchester, ca. 1918
Photo CD: 0538
File: Img0089.pcd
|
The working conditions
for children in mills had improved greatly by 1918, especially
in contrast to the early days of the textile industry. Labor unions
and agencies established to protect children fought to increase
the age at which children could begin working and for a safer
working environment.
|
|
Mill Interior, Cheney Brothers Silk Manufacturing
Company
Manchester, 1918
Photo CD: 3153
File: Img0068.pcd
|
The Cheney Brothers
were well known because they offered superior working conditions
for their employees. They also provided healthcare, education
and other benefits for them. Even though the Cheneys still used
child labor in their mills, these photographs suggest a pleasant
working environment. Also of note is that their supervisor is
a woman. This shows women might have held authoritative positions
in a mill even if it was only over boys, not men.
|
Introduction:
The Textile Industry in Connecticut Early
History of Textiles in Connecticut
Diversity
of Textiles
Immigrant
Workers
Housing
for Factory Workers
Stages
of Textile Processing
Guideposts
Suggestions
for further reading
|
 |
|
