The Samuel Slater Experience, a historic museum featuring state-of-the-art 4-D digital technology to tell the story of Samuel Slater, the beginnings of the American Industrial Revolution, and the founding of Webster, Massachusetts, in the early 19th century, opened its doors to the public Friday, March 4, with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.

 The Samuel Slater Guard participated in the Samuel Slater Experience grand opening and fired a volley after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

A group of local politicians and business leaders spoke in a brief program held before the ribbon cutting. Speakers include Samuel Slater Experience Founder Christopher Robert, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Senator Ryan Fattman, Representative Joseph McKenna, Chairman of the Webster Board of Selectmen Randy Becker, Webster Town Administrator Richard LaFond, Executive Director of Discover Central Mass Monique Messier. 

 Chris and Bev Robert with museum designer Doug Mund.

The Samuel Slater Experience comprises more than twenty unique, immersive exhibits that transport the audience back to the early 1800s as the seeds of the American Industrial Revolution were sown. The museum starts with a young and conflicted Samuel Slater and his immigration to America, his success during the era and his impact on the geographic area. Guests will explore Slater’s unique factory model that would transform manufacturing in America. The museum then takes you forward a century, recreating downtown Webster in the early 1900s, which has become a hub of commerce and industry. 

 Enjoying a trolley ride are Bev Robert, Rep. Joe McKenna, Jeannie Hebert, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Monique Messier.

The Samuel Slater Experience was created by Webster business owner and philanthropist Christopher Robert with the help of Webster town officials, museum design expert Doug Mund and his firm dmdg2, and digital production mastermind Bob Noll and Boston Productions Inc. Robert has been working on the project since 2018, with the fundamental purpose to create a new way to educate children. The exhibits are designed in coordination with curriculum directors from the local school districts, aligned with approved curriculum standards in both social studies and STEM fields.

 Lt. Governor Karyn Polito presents citation to Chris Robert.

Explore the Samuel Slater Experience now at Samuel-SlaterExperience.org