Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee’s National Parks Subcommittee, and newly appointed Lowell City Manager Tom Golden toured the Lowell National Historical Park (LNHP) properties and projects to learn more about the impact of the park on Lowell and its partnership with the City. The tour was led by LNHP Superintendent Juliet Galonska and Deputy Superintendent Peter Lonsway.

“Lowell National Historical Park has become woven into the cultural fabric of Lowell over the past forty years. It was essential in revitalizing the City’s downtown decades ago, and as we continue recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’ll help our community do so once again,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I look forward to bringing my family to the park’s wonderful exhibits, events and tours this summer, and I’m excited to continue working with City Manager Golden, Superintendent Galonska, and our partners across the City to maximize the impact of the park so that everyone across the region can benefit.”

“Growing up in Lowell, I’ve seen firsthand how vital Lowell National Historical Park is to the success of our city. That was true in the 70s and 80s when it was first created, true in the 90s when it was key to the revitalization of downtown, and it’ll be true as we continue charting our recovery from the pandemic,” said City Manager Golden. “I’m grateful to have partners in Congresswoman Trahan, Superintendent Galoska, members of the City Council, and so many others who not only recognize the park’s value in our community, but also want to make sure every resident feels that impact.”

Lowell National Historical Park was established in June 1978 to preserve and interpret the historic structures and stories of the Industrial Revolution in Lowell. The City’s mills drove much of America’s industrialization in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, and the creation of LNHP was designed to serve as a catalyst for revitalizing the downtown area and promoting cultural heritage and community programming. LNHP has been an economic driver, hosting more than 481,000 visitors in 2019 who spent $28.6 million. Before the pandemic, the park created or contributed to 377 jobs, $15.8 million in labor income, and $41 million in economic input. In total, the economic return on LNHP as an investment is remarkable considering its $9,044,000 budget this year.

Trahan and Golden toured the park to better understand how it could bolster the Greater Lowell region’s economic and cultural recovery from the pandemic. During the visit, they were briefed on the tremendous economic return of the park before COVID-19 and the importance of events and people returning to the park, including school groups, the park’s Summer Music Series, the Lowell Folk Festival, and more. During the tour, the group walked from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum through Boarding House Park to the Mogan Cultural Center. From there, the officials departed for the park’s maintenance facility near UMass Lowell’s East Campus. Finally, the group arrived at Swamp Locks where they discussed walkways along the Pawtucket Canal and their connection to the Lord Overpass, Roberto Clemente Park, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell.

During the visit, Trahan, Golden, and Galonska also discussed LNHP’s maintenance projects totaling over $7.5 million set to be completed over the next four years. The National Park Service’s deferred maintenance backlog totaled $22 billion in 2020, prompting Congress to pass the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act. Trahan supported passage of the legislation, which established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to close the backlog on public lands like LNHP.

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