New interpretive signs have been installed by Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park in the village of Slatersville, America's first planned mill village. Above is one looking over Slatersville Mill. The North Smithfield Heritage Association is hosting Heritage Day on July 8 to include a walking tour with a ranger from the Park. Learn more about Heritage Day at https://fb.me/e/cNON5l4hq.
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Corridor News - July 5, 2023 |
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Partner Spotlight:
North Smithfield Heritage Association
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Preserving America's First Planned Mill Village and Much More |
The North Smithfield Heritage Association (NSHA) is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that was founded in 1970 with a mission to preserve and promote the culture, heritage, and natural resources of North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
It has over 180 members and 21 volunteers who are in the Blackstone River Valley Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program. NSHA became a partner in the VIP program in February of 2022 and received a Partner of the Year award in December of 2022.
Pictured above with a new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park interpretive sign at the Memorial Town Building are (left to right) Jeffrey Harris, Rich Keene, and Sam Turco.
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Thank you to Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park's Archaeology Interpretation Development Intern Trevor Lamb for Saturday's Archaeology 101 workshop for members of the National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks program. Trevor will be leading an Industrial Archaeology walk on Friday, July 7th, as part of the Park's First Friday lineup (starts at 5:30 p.m.) at Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/first-fridays-at-old-slater-mill.htm.
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Photo of the Eight Lots Schoolhouse by Malcolm Ketchum.
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Join a Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bikeway Ambassador on a guided bike ride as part of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park's summer biking series.
July 12 - This Ride Rocks!
Join volunteer Mark Dennen to explore the minerals and geological formations that make up the Blackstone River Valley.
Length (Round Trip)/Difficulty – Roughly 10 Miles/ Low to Moderate Difficulty.
Other Bikeway Ambassadors will be serving as sweeps on the rides.
Rides meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Capt. Wilbur Kelly House at 1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI.
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A Snapshot in Time: Whitinsville Then and Now |
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BHC Photography Ambassador Bob Evans recently presented a program with the Northbridge Historical Commission showing photographs of Whitinsville then and now. Click on the video above or visit https://youtu.be/tyHj2Gca7Hw.
To see the PowerPoint presentation click here.
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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 [email protected].
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Plein Air Painting at Slater Park and the Looff Carousel
Tuesday, July 25
Learn more and RSVP at
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Plein Air Painting at Hunt's Mills
Saturday, August 12
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News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
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Bike with a Park Ranger
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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First Fridays Summer Concert Series |
Join us for an evening of free entertainment!
Come to Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark for the First Fridays series. The next program is on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. The program starts with a free industrial archaeology tour! Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy music until 8 p.m.
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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 three exciting Saturday events on July 8th, August 12th, and 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!
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WWII Comes to the Valley
Commemorate the Blackstone Valley’s involvement in World War II during a special program this summer.
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park and ValleyCAST will present an informative afternoon of history at the Whitin Mill in Whitinsville, MA, on Sunday, August 13, from 11 AM – 3 PM. Program will be presented with Open Sky Community Services.
During the 1940s, many workers in the Blackstone Valley mobilized to contribute to the war effort. In historic Whitinsville, MA, the Whitin Machine Works was transformed by the war, with changes in personnel and in the manufacturing focus. Come to the Whitin Mill to explore exhibits on manufacturing, see uniforms from the 1940s, and listen to The Company Bees, a duo who will perform music from the era. Rangers and partners will offer short lectures at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM inside the Singh Theater. Free, drop-in activities from Battleship Cove will be available for kids throughout the day.
This event will also include a station with information on America the Beautiful and Federal Recreational Land passes. Rangers will be onsite to distribute passes for eligible veterans and active-duty military personnel.
The Whitin Mill is located at 30-70 Douglas Rd., Whitinsville. There will be plenty of free parking and accessible spaces. Event is free and open to all.
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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.
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Towpath Walks
Take a walk with us this summer!
Join a ranger for a Towpath Talk on a Saturday afternoon (at 1 p.m.) this June, July, and August. Talks run 30-45 minutes.
Free to attend. Meet at 1075 Lower River Rd., Lincoln, RI.
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Ranger Walkabouts on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Through August 31st
Find all the details on the NPS Calendar:
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River Bend East Songwriters Festival
September 1 & 2
The 2023 River Bend East Songwriters Festival will occur Friday, September 1st through Saturday, September 2nd, outside at Slater Mill National Park, )67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02860), along the banks of the beautiful Blackstone River!
This year's festival will "kick off" with a Friday evening multi-media event and continue on Saturday afternoon, September 2nd, with the traditional showcase of the region's best singer-songwriters! Check back early and often for River Bend East 2023 line-up announcements and more information. Follow this link for more info and updates: https://fb.me/e/RzlDcQIp.
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Take a Hike With Our Trail Ambassadors |
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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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Night Sky Program at
River Bend Farm
287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA
Friday, July 21
8:00 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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Historical Society & Museum Events |
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Tuesdays through August 8
Smith-Appleby House Hosts Summer Music Series
Sundays through October 1
Daniels Farmstead hosts Farmers Markets
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
268 Mendon Street, Blackstone, MA
Saturday, July 8
North Smithfield Heritage Day
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
83 Green Street, North Smithfield
Sunday, July 9
Waters Farm Open House
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
53 Waters Road, Sutton, MA
Saturday, August 26
Grafton Historical Society hosts "Travel and Transportation in Early 19th Century New England”
2:00 p.m.
Grafton Public Library,35 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA
Tuesday, September 5
Sutton Historical Society hosts "Bathsheba Spooner: A Revolutionary Murder Conspiracy"
7:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 307 Boston Road, Sutton, MA
Saturday, September 30
Sutton Historical Society hosts "200th Anniversary General Rufus Putnam Building"
Time: TBD
4 Uxbridge Road, Sutton, MA
Saturday, September 30
Upton Heritage Day
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Town Common, Upton, 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, July 8, to tour the village of Slatersville, including Main St. Green Street, Slatersville Mills, and Centennial Park. Meet at the Memorial Town Building. 1 Main Street, at 9:30 a.m.
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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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)
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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
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Connecting with Canoes
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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