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We wish everyone a very happy 4th of July!
Photo by Ellen Kawadler captured at the Smith-Appleby House Museum in Smithfield, RI.
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Corridor News - July 2, 2024 | |
An independent nonprofit preserving, promoting, and celebrating the Corridor's historic, natural, and recreational resources for current and future generations. | |
Photograph by their mother, Harriette Merrifield Forbes; private collection. From the catalog of the 2003-2004 Worcester Historical Museum Exhibit "Merrifield at 23 Trowbridge Road, 1856-2002. | |
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Happy 4th of July!
One element of Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s mission is to celebrate our region’s rich historical past. In commemoration of Independence Day, we thought we’d share a little local history from 198 years ago. On July 4th, 1826, the Declaration of Independence was 50 years old, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams passed away, and Irish immigrants began to arrive in the Blackstone Valley.
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Led by Canal contractor Tobias Boland, this first major wave of Irish immigrants was invited to build the Blackstone Canal. Irish canal workers were professionals at their craft, having worked on canals in Ireland, England, and many on the Erie Canal in New York. Although valued for their work, they found themselves subject to prejudices, particularly regarding their Catholic faith. At first, Irish workers were allowed only to work on manual tasks, such as canal and railroad construction. Soon, however, mill owners welcomed them to support the growing industry. By the mid-1800s, the Irish were the major immigrant workforce in the region. A larger wave of immigrants continued to arrive during the potato famine years. As the Valley’s Irish population grew, several became entrepreneurs, and others progressed to management roles and mill ownership. | |
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This was just the first wave of immigrants to the Blackstone River Valley. French Canadians were recruited to work in the growing textile industry, and Swedes to work in the iron and wire-making trade. By the early 20th century, immigrants from Italy, Poland, Ukraine, and Armenia came to the Valley seeking freedom and a better life. Today, we welcome newcomers from Central and South America, Southeast Asia, India, and Afghanistan whose presence and contributions greatly enrich the culture and vibrancy of life in the Blackstone River Valley. | | |
The Blackstone Heritage Corridor has acted as the Guide, the Champion, and the Storyteller of the Blackstone River Valley for nearly 40 years. Please give today to support our work. | |
Looking for Fireworks?
July 2: Providence at India Point Park
July 3: East Providence at Pierce Memorial Stadium
July 3: Pawtucket at Joseph Jenks Middle School
July 3: Woonsocket at World War II Veterans Memorial Park
July 6: North Smithfield at North Smithfield High School Grounds
July 6: Uxbridge at McCloskey Field, 62 Capron Street
July 20: Northbridge at Northbridge Middle School
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Explore the Waterways with the
Blackstone Valley Paddle Club
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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 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.
- 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
Watch for more Massachusetts hikes this fall with Trail Ambassador Phil!
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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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Birds Along the Blackstone
Fridays, July 5 through July 26
Starting at 10:30 AM
Meet at Kelly House Museum, 1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI
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Wednesdays, July 10 to August 28
at 5:30 PM
Click here for the locations.
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Sunday, July 28
1 PM to 4 PM
Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friend of the Blackstone, 100 New River Road, Lincoln, RI
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Take part in a free community songwriting workshop with The Same Thing Project at Slater Mill this summer! These events are open to everyone, and no musical knowledge is required.
Slater Mill - Thursday, 8/1/24 at 6:30 PM
Slater Mill - Wednesday, 8/7/24 at 6:30 PM
Slater Mill - Thursday, 8/29/24 at 6:30 PM
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Riverbend East Songwriters Festival
Friday, August 30, and Saturday, August 31
Old Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI
The festival will "kick-off" Friday evening with a multi-media event and continue on Saturday afternoon with a traditional showcase of the region's best singer-songwriters! Free admission for both events and fun for the whole family!
Find event details at https://www.facebook.com/share/65J9vJ88CGRgXbi8/.
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New Guide to Paddling the Blackstone River | |
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Reading Frederick Douglass Together
Friday, July 5 at 6:00 p.m
UUSGU is hosting its 3rd gathering of people of all backgrounds and ages on Grafton Common to experience the moving words of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” first delivered on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, NY.
Explore the continuing legacy of slavery and racism in discussions following the Reading of the Speech with our special guest, Rev. June Cooper, Theologian in the City, Old South Church, Boston, and our very own Donna Maria Cameron.
This free event will take place on Grafton Common, where Douglass on Saturday, April 30, 1842, was initially denied access to any church or hall on the Common to speak. He persevered and was heard.
Everyone is invited. Bring a picnic, chairs and blankets. Water is available throughout, and drinks and cookies during the discussions.
>>>The Corridor will have a tent at the event with Liberty and Anti-Slavery Songbooks. Look for Devon!<<
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>>>The Corridor will have a tent at the event along with staff from Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.<< | |
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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:
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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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. | |
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