Hope Village Historic District

Hope Village Historic District is an industrial settlement along Main Street and North Road near Scituate, with factory buildings and worker homes from the 1800s. The structures sit close to the Pawtuxet River and reveal how mill communities were typically arranged and built.

The settlement began in 1766 with Hope Furnace, which made household goods and military weapons during the Revolutionary War. This factory drove the growth and shaped the economic life of the entire community in the decades that followed.

The village still shows how workers lived close to their jobs in the early industrial era. The tight arrangement of homes near the factory reflects the practical needs and daily rhythms of mill employees and their families.

The district is best explored on foot since the main buildings cluster along a short stretch of road. The location is easy to reach and offers plenty to see even for a short visit.

A church built in 1874 housed a library in its basement to serve the workers and their families. This arrangement shows how the community found creative ways to bring education and learning to mill life.

Location: Rhode Island

GPS coordinates: 41.73361,-71.56417

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:07