[1] Russells Mills Village is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of US Route 6, on the western bank of the Paskamanset River.

The river was soon dammed, and the Russells began industrial activity with mills for grinding grain and sawing lumber.

The area flourished economically, with a number of other milling operations taking advantage of the water power provided by both the river and Destruction Brook.

The village flourished into the 1850s, by which time its mills were eclipsed by more substantial works at Padanaram and New Bedford.

As a result, most of the architecture in the village is either Georgian, Federal, or Greek Revival, reflecting the styles popular at the height of its prosperity.