The Night Watchwoman: An Ode to the Mill Girls of Lowell’s Industrial History

The Lowell Watchwoman is an owl avatar that is dedicated to all of the Mill Girls who made the Lowell Mills an early success. The earliest Mill “Watchmen” were women. These older “Madams”, as they were called, secured the premises and watched over the young single women mill employees, taking turns at night to stroll the mills and assure the girls’ safety.

The barn owl is a night hunter that appears white with glints of gold as it soars over alleys and back yards seeking mice and rats. For almost 100 years an iconic family of barn owls was protected in the attics of the mills. Their presence was seen as good luck as they assured mice and rats were kept clear of the great brick factories.

The Night Watchwomen left many diary notes about their magical presence: “Like one of my girls in a slip, with wings in a dream, my dearest owl lofted off in moonlight to seek dinner for the five chicks clustered at the window. All is quiet. 1:30 a.m. May 12, 1843. Massachusetts Mill #2.” Amelia Bartlett, Night Watchwoman diary.

The Lowell Watchwoman celebrates the new extended Lowell River Walk of this historic district. By day, the wings of the Barn Owl, the vaulted space shelters pedestrians and by night, The Owl’s watchful eyes, delights all who pass by her at night.

The Night Watchwoman was featured on a recent episode of Innovation Showcase, produced by Jay Sugarman. Watch the video online. The Lowell Sun published a preview article by Melanie Gilbert that made the headline news on Friday April 28, 2023. Read the article online.

Photos courtesy of Hoang Nguyen