Spring is here, and construction has begun on the extension to the Blackstone River Greenway in Blackstone! Thank you to RCS Aerials for the bird's-eye view! Scroll down for a video and more info on the project!
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Corridor News - March 29, 2023 |
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We hit a home run! Thanks to all who visited us at the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Home and Business Expo on March 25th. We launched a new GearHeads activity - Create Your Own Baseball Card- in celebration of Opening Day this week. Thank you to our Community Engagement Ambassador volunteers, Abigail and Lauren, for working in our booth.
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MA State Senator Michael Moore (left) visited our booth and posed with Devon in his vintage Worcester Worcester's baseball uniform. Devon has been invited to the WooSox Opening Day festivities on March 31st!
Download the baseball card activity here.
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Thank you to Liz Myska and her team for offering a Skills Workshop on making events inclusive for people of all abilities. The workshop was held on March 11 at the Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone. |
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Thank you to VIP Julie Riendeau for offering a hands-on Skills Workshop on the EnviroScape tabletop watershed model on World Water Day, March 22nd.
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Thank you to Brian Maynard, Treasurer of the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society and URI Professor of Botany, for leading the "Bark, Branches, and Buds" walk on March 25th at Blackstone River State Park.
Stay tuned for more events like this as we explore the natural history of the Blackstone River Valley.
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New Volunteers-In-Parks Program Partners |
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We are pleased to announce three new Volunteers-In-Parks program partners:
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April 16 to 22 is National Volunteer Week! |
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Thank you to our many volunteers for all you do for the Blackstone River Valley!
This National Volunteer Week we are excited to have received the Covid-19 Recovery Grant from Massachusetts Service Alliance! Our funding from MSA has allowed us to establish our Community Engagement Ambassador program, provide First Aid/CPR Training to Volunteers, purchase new uniform items, and more.
While we are thankful for our great volunteers every day, during National Volunteer Week, we get to highlight the great work our volunteers are doing in the Valley. Stay tuned to National Volunteer Week to learn more about what our volunteers are doing!
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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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BHC Elects Two New Board Members |
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The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Board of Directors elected two new directors at its March meeting, including Sue Ciaramicoli of Hopedale, MA, and Paul Jones of North Smithfield, RI. |
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Sue Ciaramicoli of Hopedale, MA. |
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Paul Jones of North Smithfield, RI. |
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News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
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Junior Ranger Program Premiere
Friday, April 14
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Blackstone River State Park
1085 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI
Be among the first graduating class of the Kelly & Ashton Mill Junior Rangers!
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Two Guys Project
Saturday, April 15
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Old Slater Mill
67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI
Join the park for a Stories and Poems event celebrating national parks. Starring Christopher Johnson (left) and Mark Binder (right), two of Rhode Island's best-known wordsmiths, they explore the boundaries of friendship through stories and poems with a breath of fresh air.
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Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home!
Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we’ll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites. Join us to learn more about a place that might be close to home or in a destination you dream of visiting. Each hour-long program includes a presentation and opportunities for questions and answers.
Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. EST
Thursday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. EST
Learn more and register here:
Catch past lectures on YouTube at:
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April 22 to 30 is National Park Week! |
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National Park Week is happening from April 22nd to April 30th this year. Entrance fees at National Park sites across the country will be waived on April 22, 2023, to kick off the celebration and to encourage everyone to enjoy their national parks in person. Note: Old Slater Mill reopens on Saturday, May 11 with tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. and is always free of charge.
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Earth Day Open House at
the Museum of Work & Culture
42 S. Main Street, Woonsocket, RI
Saturday, April 22
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join the Museum of Work & Culture and Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park for a special Earth Day event. Find all the details here.
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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. Photo by David Lawlor.
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The Park Now Has Its Own Newsletter! |
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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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Celebrate Trails Day April 22 |
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Rails-To-Trails Conservancy Presents "Celebrate Trails Day"
Saturday, April 22
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Here are some ways you can celebrate:
Use our interactive map to find parking areas to access the Blackstone River Bikeway:
Share your photos and tag them with #CelebrateTrails.
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Sanctuary Stream Walks & Water Quality Monitoring |
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Sanctuary Stream Walks at
April 11: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
April 16: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Aril 27: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
April 29: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Get to know your local waterway on this family-friendly walk along Broad Meadow Brook's Troiano Trail. Learn about the natural history of the stream, how it helps people and wildlife, and what we can all do to improve water health. This is a flat, gentle walk on packed stone dust, suitable for all ages and abilities. Free event.
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Become a Volunteer Water Quality Monitor! |
The Blackstone River Coalition is seeking volunteers for a long-running citizen science program to gather information about the status of, and long-term changes in, the health of the Blackstone River Watershed. Over 90 volunteers work with the BRC’s member organizations to sample 75 sites throughout the watershed from Worcester to Pawtucket.
Click on the flyer to learn more.
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Night Sky Program at
River Bend Farm
287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA
Friday, April 21
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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Cumberlandite and Elder Ballou Cemetery Tours
Saturday, April 29
Tours at Noon and 2 p.m.
RSVP required. Register here:
This event is hosted in partnership with Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. If you can't make it, we recorded the tour we hosted in January. Check it out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wO9r-237qMc.
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Historical Society & Museum Events |
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Did you know that around the world, healthcare workers are prescribing museum visits? In the book "Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us" the authors offer proof of how our brains and bodies transform when we participate in the arts. On that note, we share our interactive map, which lists over 40 museums and historic sites where you can engage your senses.
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Saturday, April 1
Smith-Appleby House Hosts an Open House
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
220 Stillwater Road, Smithfield, RI
Sunday, April 2
Museum of Work & Culture Hosts "Salute to Spring - Bonjour Printemps"
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 2
2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Waters Farm
53 Waters Road, Sutton, MA
12:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 2
Douglas Historical Society Open House
E.N. Jenckes Store Museum
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 4
Sutton Historical Society Hosts "The Nipmuc Lithic Trail"
7:00 p.m.
First Congregation Church, 307 Boston Road, Sutton, MA
Friday, April 7
Grafton Historical Society Hosts "First Friday Tea"
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
71 Main Street, South Grafton, MA
Saturday, April 22
Earth Day Open House at the Museum of Work & Culture
42 S. Main Street, Woonsocket, RI
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 23
Great Road Heritage Campus Tours
Hearthside House Museum, 677 Great Road, Lincoln, RI
Saturday, April 29
Grafton Historical Society Hosts Vintage Jewelry Lesson
2:00 p.m.
71 Main Street, South Grafton, MA
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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, April 8th, at the Booth Pond Conservation Area at 9:30 a.m. Learn more at https://fb.me/e/2FBEcosLD.
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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Spring Cleanups Around the Valley |
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Find a cleanup volunteer opportunity near you and help us keep Blackstone Valley clean and green! |
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Walk & Clean Up the World! |
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Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful is starting a walking group to walk and clean up our environment.
KBVB will hold a walk in each of our ten RI Blackstone Valley communities on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. Weather delays will push the walk to Friday of the same week. Walks will last approximately an hour.KBVB will bring all the supplies needed, so you just need to come. These walks are on traveled roads and are geared mostly toward adults, but children are welcome with supervision. Residents can join any community they would like, so there is no need to stay only in your city or town.
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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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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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Wade Institute & BHC Offer Workshop for Educators |
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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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April 29 is National Junior Ranger Day |
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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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Thank you to the Mass Cultural Council for including the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in its $3.9 million in Pandemic Recovery Grants to Central Massachusetts!
Pictured above are Mass Cultural Council's Executive Director, Michael J. Bobbitt, and BHC's Executive Director, Devon Kurtz, at a celebration held at the EcoTarium in Worcester.
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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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