In celebration of National Textiles Day on May 3rd, we share this photo taken at the Little Red Shop Museum in Hopedale. The museum is reopening on Sunday, May 7th, from 1 pm to 4 pm. In addition, Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark opens for the season on Thursday, May 11. Learn more below.
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Corridor News - May 2, 2023 |
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Chuck Sams, director of the National Park Service, was in Boston last week, and several National Heritage Area directors gathered to see him.
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BHC Volunteer to Lead Walk for Jane Week Worcester ester
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Riparian Invasives Ramble for Jane Week Worcester |
Thursday, May 4
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Join us for a walk-through Blackstone Gateway Park to learn about the invasive plant species present here and across the waterways of Worcester. NPS Volunteers-In-Parks volunteer Joe Johnson will introduce us to the major invasive monocultures and the history of how they were introduced to this area.
This program will meet outside the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center at Worcester (3 Paul Clancy Way) and will be approximately 45 minutes of easy walking on flat paths and boardwalks.
Sorry, no dogs (except service dogs) are allowed on Jane Week walking tours.
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Volunteer Opportunities!
There are many volunteering opportunities coming up over the next several months. Volunteers should check their Inboxes. If you'd like to get involved with our Volunteers-In-Parks program, reach out to Molly Cardoza, Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement, at mcardoza@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
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On April 19, during National Volunteer Week, Independent Sector announced that the hourly value of a volunteer increased from $29.95 to $31.80.
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News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
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Old Slater Mill Reopens Thursday, May 11! |
Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark reopens for the season on Thursday, May 11, and will be open Thursdays through Sundays with free tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
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First Strike Festival Returns!
The (second) First Strike Festival is happening at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark (67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI) on Saturday, May 13, from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Nearly 200 years ago, more than one hundred women weavers launched the first wage workers’ strike in the United States. To remember this important act of solidarity, the National Park Service will host a free festival each May at Old Slater Mill. Learn a new dance, participate in a community songwriting workshop, play an old-fashioned game, or enjoy live music. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=F791A728-0DA5-EFF3-EB8C271EDCDA1C63.
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RI Lego Artist Debut at First Strike
Andrew Grover, an educator who makes Lego models of Rhode Island institutions, will debut a new art piece at the First Strike Festival. Don't miss it!
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The Kelly and Ashton Mill Junior Ranger Booklet is a self-guided adventure around Blackstone River State Park. Aspiring Junior Rangers of all ages are encouraged to pick up a booklet and explore the history and natural beauty of this area. These Junior Ranger activities inspire creativity, reflection, imagination, and stewardship.
Where to get your book:
Junior Ranger books will be available at the Kelly House Museum of Transportation (1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI) during operating hours. The Museum is open seasonally from April to October.
Books are also available at Old Slater Mill (67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, RI) and Roger Williams National Memorial (282 North Main St., Providence, RI). If you are visiting in the off-season or would like to get a head start on your books, you can request copies be mailed to your home address by reaching out to Ranger Allison Horrocks at allison_horrocks@nps.gov.
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Roger Williams Chats
at Roger Williams National Memorial
282 N. Main St., Providence, RI
Starting on May 11, join a ranger for a chat about Roger Williams’s legacy and ideas. Offered Thursday-Sunday through October 29, at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
Programs last approximately one-half hour and are free.
Roger Williams was one of the greatest philosophers of the 1600s. His passionate plea for the separation of church and state still resonates in our public discourse. Both loved and hated by his contemporaries, his legacy remains unresolved. How much say does the government have in our personal choices? Who gets to decide?
Free parking in the lot on Canal Street. Signs will direct you toward the Hahn Memorial (historic well) where the programs will begin.
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Coming in June!
Ranger Walkabouts on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
June 1st through August 31st
Find all the details on the NPS Calendar:
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Coming in July!
Join a national park ranger for a bike ride along the Blackstone River Bikeway on Wednesdays starting July 5 through September 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each week will have a different theme.
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Robert Wakeling has joined the staff of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park as a seasonal park ranger. Robert hails from Mansfield, MA, and has worked for the NPS at other park sites including Adams National Historical Park. |
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March in a Parade in Support of Fish Ladders |
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All are welcome to join in a community parade featuring drumming, dancing, crafts, music, and more. Rain or shine!
Sunday, May 21st | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Old Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI
Led by the Narragansett Indian Tribe and the Hassanamisco Band of Nipmuc, this community event will bring diverse partners together to learn about and show their support for the need to create fish passage over the lower four dams in Rhode Island and bring back migratory fish such as the herring.
- Screenprint a t-shirt as a take-home reminder of the Blackstone/Kittacuck. Bring your own t-shirt, or we'll have some provided.
- Color a paper fish and join the march to symbolically carry these paper herring over the lower two dams.
- Join the Narragansett Indian Tribe, Hassanamisco Band of Nipmuc, and other tribes to learn about the migratory fish's important history to tribal culture for millennia.
- Learn why getting fish around the dams in Pawtucket and Central Falls is beneficial for community well-being, tourism, recreation, the economy, & more.
--> Please remember to bring your reusable water bottle! Water filling available.
--> In the event of inclement weather, this event will be held inside the Visitor Center across the street (175 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860).
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Take a Hike With Our Trail Ambassadors |
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Hike with Steve and Skye:
Hike with Phil:
Save these dates to hike with Ernie:
Ernie also leads hikes at the Hunts Mills trail on the second Sunday of each month (March through November) at 1:30 p.m. during the East Providence Historical Society's Open House at 65 Hunts Mills Road, East Providence, RI.
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Join Us on a Ride of Discovery! |
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Join our Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bikeway Ambassadors on guided bike rides this spring to explore different sections of the Blackstone River Bikeway. Bring your own bike, helmet, and water. Rides depart at 6:30 p.m. and return by 8 p.m.
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Wednesday, May 10: Blackstone to Uxbridge, MA
- Wednesday, May 24: Woonsocket to Lincoln, RI
- Wednesday, June 21: Pollinator Bike Ride - Lincoln, RI
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There are so many ways to celebrate National Bike Month. Check out the Bike Month Bingo game and play along! Plan your activities now!:
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Night Sky Program at
River Bend Farm
287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA
Friday, May 5
7:30 p.m.
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Would you like to learn the constellations visible right now? Astronomers from Skyscrapers will be able to guide your way around the sky. Telescopes will be available for close-up looks of the moon and stars. Free event.
Photo by Jim Hendrickson.
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The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) and the Rhode Island Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries (RIACHC) present
RI Historical Cemeteries Awareness and Preservation Weeks in April - May 2023.
The 2023 Events Calendar features tours, clean-ups, gravestone conservation demonstrations, talks and additional free programs that raise awareness about
Rhode Island's historic cemeteries and promote their preservation.
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Historical Society & Museum Events |
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Sunday, May 7
Little Red Shop Museum Opens
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
12 Hopedale Street, Hopedale, MA
Tuesday, May 9
Sutton Historical Society Hosts "Vintage Tweets: A Book of Suffrage Era Postcards"
7 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 307 Boston Road, Sutton
Saturday, May 13
Northbridge Trolley Tours
9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 18
Auburn Historical Society Hosts "Lost Towns of the Swift River Valley: Drowned by the Quabbin"
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Auburn Sportsmen's Club, 50 Elm Street, Auburn
Sunday, May 28
Uxbridge Historical Society hosts "Wearing the Blue: A Civil War Experience"
2 p.m.
Former Unitarian Church, 23 Main Street, Uxbridge
Sunday, June 4
Mendon Historical Society Hosts "In the Garden with Eleanor Roosevelt"
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Tickets: $22.00
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Monthly Heritage Walks With NSHA |
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The North Smithfield Heritage Association (NSHA) offers its next Heritage Hike on Saturday, May 13th, at Crookfall Brook, Woonsocket Reservoir #1 and Pump House at 9:30 a.m. Learn more at https://fb.me/e/46aEXBDFW.
The NSHA offers the Heritage Walks as a means to promote the town’s amazing multi-faced heritage. Admission is free.
NSHA is also offering Nature Walks with the following schedule:
1st Saturday - High Rocks Gorge 3-mile Loop meets at Martha Road.
3rd Saturday - Booth Pond Preserve Trail 2.4-mile loop meets in Aldi Parking Lot.
4th Saturday - Fort Wildlife Refuge 3.3-mile loop on Providence Pike.
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Scouts from Troop 25 in Ubridge cleaned up along West River Road during the Uxbridge Town Cleanup on April 1st. The event was presented by Premeer Real Estate, the Ubridge Board of Health, DPW, and Conservation Commission, and supported by Tom Berkowitz Trucking, Inc. |
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8th Annual Family Fun Fishing Day
Saturday, May 6
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Rain date: Sunday, May 7
River Bend Farm
287 Oak Street, Uxbridge, MA
Enjoy a FREE fun-filled day of fishing, family, and friends! All ages and abilities! Prizes will be awarded! Rods, bait, and instruction are available with pre-registration.
Sweet Wise Ice Cream truck, food for purchase, face painting, and more.
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Saturday, May 6
1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Szerlag Farm Preserve
547 Roosevelt Drive
Northbridge, MA
Join the Metacomet Land Trust in cleanup, trail maintenance, and removing garlic mustard in a Northbridge preserve.
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A group of volunteers with an interest in canoeing and kayaking formed the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club in 2000 in conjunction with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor and Rhode Island Canoe & Kayak Association (RICKA). The Paddle Club meets weekly from May through August on Tuesday evenings at different sites within and just outside of the Valley.
Volunteers act as members of the land crew, paddle club guides, and sweep person on the weekly paddles. They provide an important link to the exploration of the natural resources within the Heritage Corridor.
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To participate in the Blackstone Paddler's events, a RI Canoe and Kayak Association membership fee of $15.00 is required, as is a $10.00 membership fee for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. These fees provide a family membership and are good for the entire season. If you are a current RICKA member, you may join for the additional $10.00 membership fee. If you are not yet a RICKA member, you may join and pay your dues for both RICKA and Blackstone Valley Paddle Club by going to the membership page for payment options. Please pay your dues in advance. Inflatable boats and PFD's are not allowed on Blackstone Valley Paddle Club Trips.
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Kayak & Canoe Rentals
Central Falls Landing
15 Madeira Ave., Central Falls, RI
Prices
Single kayak: $20 (1.5 hours) / $30 (3 hours)
Tandem kayak: $30 (1.5 hours) / $50 (3 hours)
Canoe: $30 (1.5 hours) / $50 (3 hours)
Rentals available Monday through Friday in April and May.
Weekend rentals return on May 27.
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Book a tour of the Blackstone River aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer riverboat.
The season begins Saturday, May 27.
NATURE & HERITAGE TOURS
Sundays at 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM & 4 PM
EVENING RIVER CRUISES
(unguided trip)
Saturdays at 4 PM, 5 PM, 6 PM & 7 PM
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Connecting with Canoes
Saturday, June 17; Saturday, July 15; Saturday, August 19; Saturday, September 16, and Saturday, October 21.
Arrive at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. launch. A fee of $30 per person includes canoe and PFD. RSVP by text or call to 401-644-3215.
Meet at BRWC's Environmental Education Center at 100 New River Road (below the bikeway parking area), Manville, RI.
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Get Your Events on Our Calendar! |
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Share your events with us by listing them on the Blackstone Heritage Corridor's events page.
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"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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Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
With Our Interactive Map!
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What Should Be On the Blackstone Bucket List? |
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Share Your Favorite Things to See and Do in the Blackstone Valley |
Help us update our Blackstone Bucket List by sharing your favorite experiences in the Blackstone River Valley. Click to take our survey! Your feedback is most appreciated!
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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. |
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Stay Connected With Us On Social Media! |
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670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242
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