During National Bike Month in May, the Blackstone River Greenway between Blackstone and Uxbridge received a couple of new amenities. The three kiosks in Blackstone, Millville, and Uxbridge were upgraded with new information stations, and new bicycle repair stations were added to the trailheads in Blackstone and Uxbridge. The equipment was acquired by Blackstone Heritage Corridor with a state grant. We thank the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation for installing the repair stations. | |
Corridor News - June 4, 2024 | |
The Legacy Campaign: Reimagining Our Future | |
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For nearly 40 years, the Blackstone Heritage Corridor has been the Champion, the Guide, and the Storyteller of the beautiful and historic Blackstone River Valley.
Join us as we reimagine our future and kick off our 1.3-million-dollar Legacy Campaign.
The funds raised will:
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Advocate for the completion of the well-traveled, multi-use trail used for biking and hiking between Worcester and Providence. The natural treasures of the corridor are tremendous assets to the quality of life and economic development of the region.
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Replace and add signs, interpretive panels, digital materials, and heritage center exhibits that provide access for visitors and residents to engage in hundreds of opportunities that share our stories and celebrate our rich history.
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Increase our award-winning volunteer program by recruiting additional participants, providing greater training, and increasing opportunities to lead tours, school programs, and events in the Blackstone River Valley.
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Expand our community grants program and support over 60 partner organizations to work collaboratively to protect the beautiful and historic Blackstone River Valley, not to mention municipalities and businesses.
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As our federal support decreases, we are looking to replace that funding gap and increase our own investment in expanding the important services needed to sustain all of the resources in the corridor by amplifying the impact of our critical services of preserving, promoting, and celebrating the Blackstone River Valley.
Learn more and make a gift today at PreservetheCorridor.org.
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On May 30, we held a special kickoff celebration for the Legacy Campaign at the Blackstone River Greenway in Blackstone. We thank all who came out to support us. See more pictures and learn more on our Facebook page. | |
Join us at Rushford & Sons Brewhouse in Upton on Friday, June 28, for a fundraiser to benefit the Blackstone Heritage Corridor. Between 5 PM and 8 PM, the brewery will donate $1 per beer/wine/seltzer sold, including four packs. | |
Accessible Cycling Returns to the Blackstone Valley! | |
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All Out Adventures, in partnership with the Universal Access Program and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, is pleased to offer adaptive cycling for people with disabilities and their families and friends. All ages and abilities are welcome!
All equipment is provided, but you must pre-register for a time slot by calling All Out Adventures at 413-584-2052 or emailing info@alloutadventures.org. Reserve a handcycle, recumbent trike, or tandem recumbent trike for a one-hour time slot during the program time.
All events are 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The fee is $5.
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Wednesday, June 19 Blackstone River Greenway in Blackstone
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Wednesday, June 26 Blackstone River Greenway in Worcester
If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Molly Cardoza at mcardoza@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.
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Explore the Waterways with the
Blackstone Valley Paddle Club
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June 4 Manville Dam, Cumberland
June 11 Nipmuc River, Harrisville
June 18 Quinsigamond River, Grafton
June 25 Lincoln Woods, Lincoln
July 2 Pascoag Reservoir, Glocester
July 9 Wilson Reservoir, Pascoag
July 16 Blackstone Canal & River Loop, Uxbridge
July 23 Stump Pond, Smithfield
July 30 Blackstone Gorge, Blackstone
August 6 Wallum Lake, Douglas
August 13 Keech Pond, Glocester
August 20 Spring Lake Party, Burrillville
August 27 Slatersville Reservoir, North Smithfield
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Hikes with BHC Trail Ambassadors | |
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The following is a list of hikes in Massachusetts being led by volunteer Trail Ambassador Phil. Phil's hikes begin at 10 a.m. Find event details on our events calendar.
- Saturday, June 15: Douglas State Forest Hike, Douglas
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The following is a list of hikes in Rhode Island with volunteer Trail Ambassador Ernie. Ernie's hikes begin at 9 a.m. (except for May 26). Find event details on our events calendar.
- Saturday, June 8: Ponaganset Covered Bridge Trail Hike, Glocester
- Sunday, July 28: Mowry Farm & Conservation Area Hike, Smithfield
- Sunday, August 25: Powder Mill Ledges Hike, Smithfield
- Sunday, September 29: Turner Reservoir Hike, East Providence
- Saturday, October 26: Moshassuck River Preserve Hike, Lincoln
- Friday, November 29: Wolf Hill Hike, Smithfield
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News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park | |
Old Slater Mill is open for the season! Click here for visitor information. | |
Ranger Walkabouts
One of our favorite traditions in the Blackstone Valley is the ranger walkabout.
Each Thursday night in June, July, and August, we invite you to get out and explore with us by taking a guided walk. All walkabouts are free and begin at 6:30 PM. Lengths, topics, locations, and rangers vary.
Check out the lineup of all walkabouts here: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/ranger-walkabouts.htm.
*Please Note: there will not be a ranger walkabout on Thursday, July 4, 2024, but the visitor centers at Roger Williams National Memorial and Slater Mill WILL be open, 10 AM - 4 PM.
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Our new and returning Interpretation and Education seasonals! Left to right: Owen Marshall, Alyssa Houlis, Bob Wakeling Jr. Photo by NPS/Horrocks. | |
Welcome and Welcome Back!
We are pleased to have Bob Wakeling, Jr. and Owen Marshall returning to our staff for the 2024 season. Bob and Owen worked as seasonal staff members at the parks in 2023. Both are returning to run field trips, mill tours, Roger Talks, and more! If you see Bob or Owen out in the Blackstone Valley, or working the Visitor Center in Providence, be sure to say hello.
Alyssa Houlis, a recent graduate of the University of Rhode Island, is also part of the seasonal team. Alyssa has a background in environmental education and hails from New Jersey. We are thrilled to have her as part of the division of Interpretation and Education.
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The Maintenance team is also welcoming a new full-time staff member! Ethan Yoos, who began volunteering at the park after attending a festival at Slater Mill, has a permanent position working for the parks in facilities.
Photo by NPS/Horrocks.
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"Hark! Don't you hear the fact'ry bell?"
The maintenance team at Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park spent a portion of this past winter repairing and completing restoration work on the cupola and tower at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark. They also got the bell ringing again!
Special thanks to the park’s hardworking facilities staff for making this happen in coordination with Cultural Resources.
Historically, bells were an important part of mill life. Owners and managers would use the factory bell to alert workers as to the start, middle, and end of their day. Unlike the workers of long ago, we are certainly glad to hear the factory bell.
Photo by NPS.
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All fishing materials and bait are provided. Activities available from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. | |
New Guide to Paddling the Blackstone River | |
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Night Sky Program
River Bend Farm, 287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA
Gather with local astronomers to view the night sky.
All events are on Friday evenings. Details on what you'll see are on our events calendar. Save these dates:
June 21 at 8:30 p.m.; July 12 at 8:30 p.m.; August 16 at 8 p.m.; September 20 at 7 p.m.; October 25 at 6 p.m.; November 15 at 5:30 p.m.
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Get Your Events on Our Calendar! | |
"Explore, Discover, Protect, and GO!"
The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country, each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family. Here in the Blackstone River Valley, Junior Rangers are called GearHeads. What's a GearHead, you might ask?
GearHead (n.): a kid, powered by the gears in their brain, who explores nature, discovers history, protects the environment, and goes on adventures throughout the Blackstone River Valley.
Click through the GearHeads website and claim your Junior Ranger status today! Submit a completed activity, and we'll send you a Junior Ranger badge!
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Do you love the Blackstone Heritage Corridor? Leave us a Google review. Thank you! | |
Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
With Our Interactive Map!
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If you're looking to spread the word with your events, submit them today!
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Blackstone Heritage Corridor, working with community partners, provides strong leadership to preserve, promote, and celebrate the Valley’s historic, natural and recreational resources for current and future generations. | |
Stay Connected With Us On Social Media! | | | | |
