This Great Blue Heron with Painted Turtles in the background was captured by Mark Dennen along the Blackstone River Bikeway in Lincoln, RI. He submitted it to our Photo of the Week contest.
|
|
Corridor News - September 6, 2023 |
|
Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center
at Worcester Reopens
|
|
The Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center at Worcester (3 Paul Clancy Way, Worcester, MA) has reopened for visitors under the management of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MassDCR). Operating hours are Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pictured above, left to right: Susan Hamilton (MassDCR), Jennifer Stowe (MassDCR), Dennis Rice (BHC BoD), Senator Michael Moore, Commissioner Brian Arrigo (MassDCR), Representative Dan Donahue, Devon Kurtz (BHC), and Harry Whitin (BHC BoD).
|
|
|
|
Programs in September and October:
Bike the Blackstone
Sundays Sept. 3, 17, Oct. 1, 15
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
All Roads Lead to Worcester
Kidleidoscope
Thursdays 10 a.m.– 11 a.m.
Worcester: From Small Town to Heart of the Commonwealth
Fridays and Saturdays 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
(except Sept. 29 & 30).
|
|
New signs at the Little Red Shop Museum in Hopedale pay tribute to the former trolley crossing there. It was an Eagle Scout project by Ryan Dupuis. The museum is open on the first and third Sundays of the month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The museum will also be open during Hopedale Day in the Park, Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
|
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.
|
|
Accessible Cycling Returns to the Bikeway/Greenway |
|
Hike to Riche's Mill Site - Millbury
Sunday, September 17
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
48 Carleton Road, Millbury, MA
Join the Millbury Nature Trails Committee for a 3.25-mile hike to the almost forgotten Riche's Mill Site and impressive dam. This will be an easy guided hike on a forested trail. Limited parking is available at the corner of Carleton Road and Stowe Road. The hike will meet at the trailhead at 48 Carleton Road. Please carpool if possible.
|
|
News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
|
General Management Plan Meetings
There will be three public meetings about the future of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park next week.
The National Park Service invites the public to comment on a draft General Management Plan and an associated draft environmental assessment for the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park from September 11-October 11, 2023.
Join the NPS at any of three public meetings to learn more about the plan, ask questions, and share your thoughts.
In-Person Public Meeting #1: - Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Join any time between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Presentations are scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Location: Old Stater Mill, 2nd floor, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI.
Virtual Public Meeting: Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 816 7119 1207
Passcode: 1M2hC1
In-Person Public Meeting #2: Thursday, September 14, 2023. Join anytime between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Presentations are scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Location: Open Sky Auditorium at the Whitin Mill, 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA.
A press release will be distributed on September 11, 2023. Learn more information about the draft Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park general management plan on September 11, 2023, at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BlackstoneGMP.
The 30-day comment period will extend from September 11 to October 11, 2023.
|
|
Science Saturday at Roger Williams National Memorial |
Are you looking for some summer fun in downtown Providence? Join us at the Roger Williams National Memorial, located at 282 North Main Street, for an exciting event on Saturday, September 9th, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. You'll get to learn all about birds, trees, physics, and plants from some amazing organizations like the National Park Service, Providence Parks Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and the Rhode Island Black Storytellers. And don't forget to get your face painted with your favorite animal and celebrate the wildlife! These events are designed mainly for young people, but everyone is welcome to join in on the fun - and best of all, it's free! See you there!
|
|
Foamy Fantasies at Old Slater Mill
Saturday, September 16
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Providence art band Portal Rental presents THE MAGIC CAR WASH: a fun, multi-sensory experience hosted out of the back of a box truck. Viewers of all ages will be invited to enter the portal: a mini-theater simulating the mesmerizing feeling of being in a car going through a car wash. Find or lose yourself in a foam of short experimental films featuring Portal Rental’s energetic music among live-action footage, stop-motion animation, and puppetry. FREE!
Duration: 8 minutes. The portal can hold up to 6 visitors at a time.
|
|
Bike Your Park Day
Saturday, September 23
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Meet at the Kelly House Museum
1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI
Join thousands of cyclists nationwide and take part in "Bike Your Park Day."
Join Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park for a Bike Your Park Day group ride. This trip will travel north along the Blackstone River Bikeway and take a closer look at some of the dams that powered the Industrial Revolution. Please bring your own gear!
Length (Round Trip)/Difficulty: Roughly 6 miles/Moderate Difficulty (Some hills)
Presented as part of the nationwide celebration of Bike Your Park Day and National Public Lands Day.
|
|
 |
Bike the Blackstone
Join a national park ranger for a bike ride along the Blackstone River Bikeway on Wednesdays through September 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each week will have a different theme.
|
|
|
|
Towpath Walks
Saturdays through September at 1:00 p.m.
Join a Ranger for a guided walk along the towpath. Tours leave from the Kelly House (1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI) at 1:00 PM. Walks along the towpath last between 45 – 60 minutes.
In case of inclement weather, Towpath Talks will be held in the Kelly House Barn.
|
|
Mark your calendars for a series of walks on Saturday mornings at Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park sites.
Saturday, October 7, at 10 a.m.
Saturday, October 14, at 11 a.m.
Saturday, October 21, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 28, at 10 a.m.
Saturday, November 4, at 10 a.m.
Saturday, November 11, at 10 a.m.
|
|
Tourist in My Own Town
Friday, October 13
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Old Slater Mill
67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI
Come out to your local national park for a free night of entertainment!
Enjoy a casual music performance and see the world debut of a new music video. Starting at 6:30 p.m., RI Music Hall of Famer Mark Cutler will do a musical showcase as the sun goes down along the Blackstone River.
Following Cutler’s set, the park will debut a collaborative music video, “Tourist in My Own Town.” Bring a chair or a blanket! Free and open to all!
|
|
Fall Cleanup at Old Slater Mill and Roger Williams National Memorial
Saturday, October 21
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
‘Tis the season for beautiful foliage and fall cleanups!
Join us at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark or Roger Williams National Monument to help clean up while enjoying the crisp fall air. All clean-up supplies will be provided (rakes, gloves, etc).
|
|
|
|
Tour Old Slater Mill
Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark is open for the season on Thursdays through Sundays with free tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Take a Hike With Our Trail Ambassadors |
|
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.
|
|
Two Hikes with Phil at Douglas State Forest |
|
|
Cisterns and Dams Hike at Douglas State Forest
Saturday, October 7
10 a.m. to Noon
|
|
|
|
Foliage Hike at Douglas State Forest
Saturday, November 4
10 a.m. to Noon
|
|
|
|
|
|
Night Sky Program at
River Bend Farm
287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA
Friday, September 15
6:30 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.
|
|
Historical Society & Museum Events |
|
The Sutton Historical Society is hosting a 200th anniversary celebration for the General Rufus Putnam Museum on Saturday, September 30.
|
|
Sundays through October 1
Daniels Farmstead hosts Farmers Markets
Saturday, September 9
Grafton Historical Society Hosts "Tea and Hat Party"
Sundays, September 10, 17, 24
Glocester Heritage Society Hosts Reuben Mason House Tours
Saturday, September 30
Sutton Historical Society hosts
"200th Anniversary General Rufus Putnam Building
Saturday, September 30
Upton Heritage Day
Saturday, September 30
BeWitched, BeDazzled Magical Fall Festival
Find all the details on these events and more on our events page.
|
|
Narrangansett Bay Dam Atlas and BRWA Annual Meeting |
Monday, September 18
Blackstone River Watershed Association Business Meeting from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Presentation from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Grafton Public Library, Community Room 35 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA
Presentation by Emily Vogler of the Rhode Island School of Design/Commonplace Landscape & Planning, discussing the Narragansett Bay Dam Atlas and the related Dam Decision Support Tools.
Discussion and questions will follow the presentation.
|
|
|
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)
|
|
Book a tour of the Blackstone River aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer riverboat.
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
|
|
Connecting with Canoes
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.
|
|
Pirates on the Blackstone!
Are you ready to become a pirate for some swashbuckling fun? Excitement, surprises, shanties, and a super-fun dance party are all in store for you aboard The Explorer.
Trips run on Saturday nights from Sept. 9th – Oct. 28th, 2023.
September trips depart at 6:30 & 7:30 PM
October trips depart at 6 & 7 PM
|
|
|
September 28 to October 31
Witness a spectacular display of craftsmanship as thousands of intricately carved jack-o’lanterns illuminate the night. From endearing faces to whimsical creatures, each pumpkin tells a unique story that will ignite your imagination.
|
|
Get Your Events on Our Calendar! |
|
|
|
Share your events with us by listing them on the Blackstone Heritage Corridor's events page.
|
|
Save the date of Friday, October 6, for a World Smile Day event at Worcester's Elm Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Elm Park is home to Art in the Park, with 28 sculptures on display through World Smile Day.
Save the dates of Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15 for Waters Farm Days. Details coming soon!
|
|
"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!
|
|
Share the Beauty of the Valley |
|
Mark Dennen submitted this Black Crowned Night Heron he discovered along the Blackstone River Bikeway in Cumberland, RI. |
|
|
Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
With Our Interactive Map!
|
|
If you're looking to spread the word with your events, submit them today!
|
|
The Blackstone Bucket List is Updated! |
|
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. |
|
Stay Connected With Us On Social Media! |
|
670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
