Laconia, NH – The Belknap Mill, the oldest unaltered brick textile mill in the United States, is
proud to announce the opening of its newest permanent exhibit, “Threads of Innovation,”
debuting to the public on Friday, June 6, 2025.
This thoughtfully curated exhibit explores the Belknap Mill’s pivotal role as a leader in early
industrial efficiency and innovation. At its center is the c. 1890s freight elevator, a key
technological advancement that allowed seamless movement of materials between floors. This
innovation supported a vertically integrated production process, allowing raw cotton to be
transformed into finished cloth entirely under one roof.
“Threads of Innovation” offers a hands-on and immersive experience that highlights the Mill’s
groundbreaking approach to organization and manufacturing — a model that helped shape the
structure of modern industry.
“The Belknap Mill is not only a symbol of Laconia’s industrial heritage but also of the ingenuity
and adaptation that defined early American manufacturing,” said Dr. Katherine
Switala-Elmhurst, Vice Chair of the Board at the Belknap Mill. “This new exhibit brings that
legacy to life in a powerful and accessible way.”
To mark the exhibit’s opening and celebrate summer, the Belknap Mill will also host a free
outdoor concert as part of its First Friday festivities. Enjoy the swinging sounds of the Freese
Brothers Big Band performing live jazz and swing in Rotary Riverside Park at 6:00 PM. Bring a
blanket or lawn chair and relax by the Winnipesaukee River for a fun and festive evening!
Thread of Innovation will be available to all visitors during regular museum hours:
Wednesday–Thursday from 12–4 PM and Friday- Saturdays from 10–4 PM. Admission is $10
for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and free for children under 12 and Mill members.
Visitors are also encouraged to explore the Mill’s featured art exhibition in the Riverside Art
Gallery: “Unscripted” by Grace Howe, throughout June.
For more information, please visit www.belknapmill.org or follow the Belknap Mill on Facebook
and Instagram for updates.
