The first textile mill in Rhode Island was established by Samuel Slater. He is often referred to as the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution" because of his key role in bringing textile manufacturing technology to the United States.

In 1790, Samuel Slater, an Englishman with experience in the textile industry, immigrated to the United States. He had worked in textile mills in England and had a deep understanding of the machinery and processes involved in textile production. In 1793, Slater partnered with the American entrepreneur Moses Brown and established the Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The Slater Mill was the first water-powered cotton-spinning mill in the United States. Slater replicated the spinning jenny and water frame technologies that were used in British mills, and he adapted them to American conditions. This marked the beginning of the American textile industry and played a crucial role in the early industrialization of the United States.

Samuel Slater's contributions were significant, and the Slater Mill is often considered a symbol of the start of the American Industrial Revolution. Today, the Slater Mill is a historic site and museum, showcasing the early history of industrialization in the United States.