Mumford River at Capron Falls in Uxbridge. Photo by Amber-lee Wood.

Corridor News - November 1, 2023

Thank You, Volunteers!

Thank you to our Volunteers-In-Parks volunteers and partner organizations for your generous volunteer service in Fiscal Year 2023. Volunteers recorded a total of 31,058 hours at a value of $987,644!

Volunteer Opportunity: Trail Work at Latham Brook Preserve


Saturday, November 11

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Latham Brook Preserve

319 Log Road, Smithfield RI

 

Join us for a morning of fall trail maintenance led by volunteer Xavier Murphy and Smithfield Land Trust. Trails at his recently opened Land Trust property require a trim and marking with paint. Please dress for the weather. Work gloves and tools will be supplied. The entrance to the property is on Log Road, across from the Burlingame Road intersection in Smithfield.


Let us know if you will be joining us. RSVP at https://bit.ly/LathamTrailVol.

In Memoriam

B.A.R.K. Ranger Rocksie


We lost a special member of our team recently, B.A.R.K. Ranger Rocksie. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on October 17 at the age of 16. Rocksie was a regular greeter at the Corridor office and many, many events. She loved the Blackstone Valley and enjoyed hiking, kayaking, and even cycling in her pet trailer. She will be greatly missed. Rest easy, Rocksie.

News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

Mark your calendars for a series of walks on Saturday mornings at Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park sites. 


A Walk in Your National Park: Slatersville

Saturday, November 4, at 10 a.m.


A Walk in Whitinsville

Saturday, November 11, at 10 a.m.

raking_leaves.jpg

Fall Cleanup at Old Slater Mill

Saturday, November 4

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI


'Tis the season for beautiful foliage and fall cleanups!

Join us at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark to help clean up while enjoying the crisp fall air. All clean-up supplies will be provided (rakes, gloves, etc).

Fall Cleanup at Roger Williams National Memorial

Saturday, November 4

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

282 N. Main Street, Providence, RI


Find your park by helping the staff and volunteers at Roger Williams National Memorial prepare the park for the winter season! We will be raking leaves, picking up branches, and sweeping the grounds. The memorial will provide gloves, rakes, brooms, and other supplies. It’s recommended that you wear comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for working outside.

For more information or to register, contact Sparkle Bryant at 401-318-4581 or by email: Sparkle_Bryant@nps.gov.

Building a Dale of Hope

Sunday, November 5

2 p.m.

Hopedale Unitarian Parish, 65 Hopedale St., Hopedale, MA


In the early 1840s, a group of radical Practical Christians created a new type of community in a dale along the Mill River in Milford. Their commune survived for fifteen years, outlasting most of the other “Associationist Communities” in the area, yet their progressive enclave is often neglected in the histories of the utopian movement. The town they created included an industrial foundation which would later become the powerhouse Draper Corporation, the largest manufacturer of automatic cotton looms in the world. But the start of their special community is what makes Hopedale unique. Join a park ranger for this talk. Hear about the people who make this Dale of Hope, building a new kind of society almost completely from scratch.

Walk into Winter!


Come explore the Blackstone River Valley! 

Join us this December for a series of winter hikes. Together, we’ll check out local wildlife, local wildlife, discover beautiful landscapes, and experience the tranquility of the trail.  


Preparations –  All hikes are free and begin at 9 a.m. Hikes will last between 60 and 120 minutes (through 11 a.m.). Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring water. Weather cancellations will be posted on our Facebook page: facebook.com/BlackstoneNPS or our park website: nps.gov/blrv. Stay in the know and RSVP at https://bit.ly/BVWinterHikes23.


December 9th – Blackall Family/Ballou Farm Preserve  

Venture out with us and trek through the Blackall Family/Ballou Farm Preserve in Cumberland, Rhode Island. Explore trails preserved by the Cumberland Land Trust and see remnants of farming communities lost to time.  

Meeting at 3751 Mendon Rd. Cumberland, RI 02864. Parking is available at the meeting site. 


December 16th – Castle Hill Farm

Join us on an adventure through the lands of Castle Hill Farm in Northbridge, MA. This farm site has a rich history and deep connection to the Whitin family, who made a textile empire in Northbridge. Learn more about this landscape and the links between farms and factories.   

Parking is available at Riley Pond just off Castle Hill Road in Whitinsville, MA. 


December 23rd – Mercy Woods Preserve

Enjoy paths of contemplations as we explore the trails at the Mercy Woods Preserve. This picturesque preserve offers a chance to enjoy the beauty of the Blackstone Valley in winter.  

Meeting spot just off Sumner Road. Turn off Wrentham Road (Route 121) onto Sumner Brown Rd. in Cumberland, RI 02864. Parking lot available on the right after you turn onto Sumner Brown Rd. 


December 30th – Shining Rock

Journey to Northbridge, MA, for our final hike of 2023. Take in views of the Blackstone Valley and travel with us to Shining Rock.  

Meeting at 402 Shining Rock Dr., Northbridge, MA 01534. Parking available at meeting site.  

Tour Old Slater Mill


Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark is open on Thursdays through Sundays with free tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. through December 2, 2023.


Learn more about visiting the park here: https://www.nps.gov/blrv/planyourvisit/hours.htm.

Take a Hike With Our Trail Ambassadors

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.

Hike with Phil at Douglas State Forest

Foliage Hike at Douglas State Forest

Saturday, November 4

10 a.m. to Noon

https://blackstoneheritagecorridor.org/event/foliage-hike-at-douglas-state-forest/

Night Sky Program at

River Bend Farm

287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA


Friday, November 24

7:00 p.m.

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.

Get Your Events on Our Calendar!

What's Going On?

Share your events with us by listing them on the Blackstone Heritage Corridor's events page.


Click on the blue tab that says Submit Community Events!


Need help? Call us at 508-234-4242 or email bcombs@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.


"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!
Become a Junior Ranger at BlackstoneGearHeads.org
Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
With Our Interactive Map!
bit.ly/BHCIMAP
Want to know what's happening in the Blackstone River Valley? Check out our revamped events page at https://blackstoneheritagecorridor.org/events/.
If you're looking to spread the word with your events, submit them today!
The Blackstone Bucket List is Updated!


We dusted off the Blackstone Bucket List: 101 Things You Must Do to bring it up to date and inspire new experiences!

Thanks to those who took the survey and added suggestions!
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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670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242
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