Breaking Branches Pictures

12/18/2025

SLATERSVILLE REVIEW:

“I grew up in Union Village, my parents both worked in mills… What truly amazes me in watching your films is that you tell the truth about our small town. It is very clear that you love the town, the people and its history, but you never waver from telling the truth about how we all treat each other, the various classes and populations, and how we measure our gains. Through your love of Slatersville, and the apparent integrity you have within you, you are sharing a history that feels real and very timely. Thank you for your work. I look forward to further installments and watching other projects.”

- Mark LaRiviere

To my knowledge, I have never met Mark. Nor had I known about him until he wrote this. He resides in New York now. Receiving comments like this are absolutely wonderful. 😊🙏 Thank you, Mark!!

If you have not taken the time to see Slatersville: America's First Mill Village and its entirety (8 episodes to date) now would be a great time to catch up!! 😊 Visit firstmillvillage.com to learn how.

Slatersville: America's First Mill Village is a historical documentary series filmed in the US and the UK focusing on the 250-year history of the first industrialized mill village in northern Rhode Island.

12/16/2025

🎄 Christmas TIME!!! 🎄 So I still have a few SLATERSVILLE blu-rays in stock from this round and ornaments. If you’ve wanted to get them, NOW is the time!! 😊 🙏👍 Order soon, and I might be able to get them to you in time for 🎄🎄🎄 Visit our SHOP at firstmillvillage.com to purchase these items today!!

12/16/2025

I want to take this opportunity to thank 2 generous donors who have played roles in helping us to make progress on Slatersville: America's First Mill Village through the years.

The first is David Choate of the Choate Family in South Carolina. He and his brother Culver appear in the series along with their late sister Nancy and their (now 107 year-old) mother Genevieve. The donation was made in Loving Memory of their father, Paul Choate, who worked for the Kendall Company for 60 years.
Below is David with his mother and Santa. 🙂

The second is from Muriel Halloran, in Loving Memory of her husband Daniel Halloran, one of North Smithfield's former Town Councilmen. Muriel appears in the final season of the series, which we are actively in post-production on. There is Muriel below (antlers) singing alongside my mom.

Much of the time, we have been able to make progress, because people have voluntarily stepped in to aid what has been a super-low budget docu-series in motion for a decade and a half. The generosity shown by these two families is truly appreciated. Without supporters like them, including John Butler and so many more, we would never have gotten this far. I am forever grateful for all the support that has come our way.

THANK YOU ALL!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

If you want to make a donation, visit firstmillvillage.com to check out our GoFundMe page or to learn of other ways to give. More coming soon...

11/23/2025

🎄🎄🎄 Need GIFT ideas for HISTORY lovers!? We have beautiful Blu-ray sets of Slatersville: America's First Mill Village Episodes 1-8 and Christmas tree ornaments on sale now at https://www.firstmillvillage.com/shop-slatersville. We can also ship’em out or deliver ASAP!! 😊🙏❤️

11/23/2025

Big THANKS to John Butler & Susan Hayward Butler and Rev. Eileen Morris for their support of Slatersville: America's First Mill Village this week!! Along with our sponsors Blackstone Valley Tourism and the North Smithfield Heritage Association. 😊🙏❤️ Watch, Learn & Support us @

Slatersville: America's First Mill Village is a historical documentary series filmed in the US and the UK focusing on the 250-year history of the first industrialized mill village in northern Rhode Island.

11/15/2025

Watch it. Own it. Support it TODAY… ‘Cuz we ain’t done yet 😊🙏❤️ Thank you ALL!! Slatersville: America's First Mill Village, firstmillvillage.com

11/11/2025

SLATERSVILLE Veterans Day 2025

11/11/2025

Veterans Day is a special day to share this episode of Slatersville: America's First Mill Village with people you know and love. The story of the formation of our VFW post, which I’ll be visiting shortly, and how the village and the milk coordinated operations on the homefront should never to be forgotten. Watch Episode 7: The War Years to remember them all… 😊🙏❤️ 🇺🇸 All the ways you can see It - Tubi, Prime, YouTube, and more - cane be found at: https://www.firstmillvillage.com/watch-slatersville-episode-7

11/06/2025

Happy to announce that all 4 of these films are now available on a new streaming channel called RELAY. :-)

10/28/2025

SLATERSVILLE will return to Ocean State Media, formerly known as Rhode Island PBS in 2026!! They will air newer episodes, 6, 7 & 8, for the 1st time. Thanks to ALL who made this happen 😊🙏❤️