"Love That Stood the Test of Time."
Photo by Carol Dandrade, Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassador.
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In This Issue
- BHC Announces New Board Appointments
- Senator Reed Announces Slater Mill to be Transferred to the National Park Service
- Revolution in the Air Winter Lecture Series -
- Saturday, February 6: Slavery, Abolition, and Industrial Capitalism
- VIP Skills Workshop Series -
- Tuesday, February 23 - Wilderness First Aid
- Video: Recording of Volunteers-In-Parks Skills Workshop Series: The Geologic History of the Blackstone River Valley
- Video: Recording of "Revolution in the Air" Winter Lecture Series: STRIKE! Hopedale 1913
- Blackstone Bucket List Survey
- Valentine's Day in the Blackstone River Valley
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BHC ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD APPOINTMENTS |
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Richard T. Moore,
Board Chair
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Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor announces appointments made to its Board of Directors following its annual meeting in January.
The Board of Directors elected new officers as follows:
- Chair: Richard T. Moore (MA)
- First Vice-Chair: Dennis Rice (MA)
- Second Vice-Chair: Lee Dillard Adams (MA)
- Treasurer: Yvonne Chita (MA)
- Secretary: Todd Helwig (MA)
- Immediate Past Chairman: Richard H. Gregory III (RI)
Directors re-elected for a three-year term on BRVNHC’s Board include Richard H. Gregory III (RI), Dennis Rice (MA), and Gary E. Furtado (RI).
Directors on the Board include Bill Beitler (RI), Robert Billington (RI), Michael D. Cassidy (RI), Bob Contursi (MA), Robert Dandrade (MA), Pieter de Jong (MA), Gary E. Furtado (RI), Jeannie Hebert (MA), David W. Kellogg (RI), Thomas Kravitz, (RI), Harry T. Whitin (MA), and Donna M. Williams (MA).
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Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark, Pawtucket, RI. Photo by Carol Dandade, Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassador. |
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In response to Senator Reed's announcement last week that Slater Mill will be transferred to the National Park Service, Blackstone Heritage Corridor's new Board Chair, Richard T. Moore, shares the significance of this accomplishment.
"Since 1981, when former RI Senator Jim Hagan and I co-hosted a regional economic development conference at the Blackstone – Millville Regional High School, the development of a national park along the Blackstone River has been a goal for this region. In 1986, this dream was partially fulfilled with the recognition by Congress of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Finally, in 2014, with Senator Jack Reed’s leadership, Congress finally approved a National Historical Park.
The Board of Directors of the National Heritage Corridor takes this opportunity to commend Senator Reed for his long-standing advocacy for the Blackstone Valley and the preservation of its nationally significant heritage as “Birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution.” The entire Heritage Corridor applauds Senator Reed for his leadership in advocating for the acquisition of historic Slater Mill as the cornerstone of the new National Historical Park.
Those of us involved in the National Heritage Corridor from Worcester to Providence are looking forward to partnering with the Park as the “local coordinating entity” supporting Park development which, based at Slater Mill serves as the flagship of the National Heritage Corridor. We see this development as the first step in building the Corridor “back better,” as we promote the unique history of this region with its many historical structures.
Slater Mill is the beginning of a great story that involves many other historic sites such as the Capt. Wilbur Kelly House in Lincoln, Woonsocket’s Museum of Work and Culture, River Bend Farm in Uxbridge, and the new Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center in Worcester. The Blackstone River, its historic canal, the new Greenway/Bikeway, the Little Red Shop in Hopedale, Waters Farm in Sutton, and the Whitin Mill in Northbridge are other sites worthy of preservation.
Thank you, Senator Reed, for getting the ball rolling, and another tip of the hat to Congressman Jim McGovern who has championed the Massachusetts part of the Corridor."
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REVOLUTION IN THE AIR - WINTER LECTURE SERIES |
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Lectures are on the following Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.: February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20, and April 3. Each will be followed by a Question and Answer session. The program is free and open to all. The series is being recorded and each lecture will be posted to YouTube and Facebook.
Register here for as many lectures as you would like to attend. You will receive an email providing the link to access the meeting.
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Lecture #2: Slavery, Abolition, and the Rise of Industrial Capitalism
Saturday, February 6
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
On Zoom
Speaker: Dr. Manisha Sinha, Professor, University of Connecticut
This talk will examine the relationship between slavery and industrial capitalism and the abolitionist critique of that relationship. It will illustrate that the abolition of slavery was an uphill task precisely because slavery was embedded in the nation's political economy. Slavery did not divide the north and south economically as is commonly supposed but gave the two sections complementary economic interests.
Photo: Library of Congress
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VIP SKILLS WORKSHOP SERIES: WILDERNESS FIRST AID |
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Tuesday, February 23
VIP Skills Workshop: Wilderness First Aid
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
On Zoom
If you spend any amount of time in the woods, this is a course you should take!
Join the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife for a fun and interactive night learning wilderness first aid skills.
Gain knowledge to help you provide appropriate and timely treatment and identify ways to improvise and adapt with commonly found field equipment.
Best for ages 12+. This is a non-certification course and will be held on Zoom.
About the Instructor: Dana Kopec, is a Technical Assistant at the RI Division of Fish and Wildlife working for the Hunter Education and Aquatic Resource Education Programs. She is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician with 21 years of experience and enjoys passing along her knowledge to as many people as possible.
Note: space is limited; reserve your spot early.
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Watch the VIP Skills Workshop Series on YouTube |
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THE GEOLOGIC HISTORY OF THE BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY
with VIP Mark Dennen
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Learn about the geology of the Blackstone River Valley in our Volunteers-In-Parks Skills Workshop featuring volunteer Mark Dennen. This hour-long workshop was hosted on Zoom. |
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Watch the Winter Lecture Series on YouTube |
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Did You Miss the First Lecture in the "Revolution in the Air" Series?
Watch the recording on YouTube!*
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In 1913, workers at the Draper Corporation in Hopedale, MA went on strike. Many in the local community were shocked that such a bold demonstration could happen in their backyard.
Decades earlier, the Drapers had started their manufacturing empire in Hopedale, a communal experiment founded by idealistic Practical Christians. Although much of the commune's idealism faded after the community dissolved in 1856, the Drapers were long heralded for their investment in Hopedale. Some saw the Drapers' housing, parks, and other projects as proof that Hopedale was a shining example of paternalism. But underneath this veneer, a conflict was brewing between management and workers. Particularly as more immigrants were recruited to work in Hopedale (and live in Milford) there was also a widening gulf between the highest and lowest paid at Draper Corporation. Join Rangers Allison Horrocks and Mark Mello to discuss the strike that changed the town of Hopedale. Together, we'll explore an era filled with tensions relevant to our world today.
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It's time for an update and a refresh of the Blackstone Bucket List! There have been some changes over this past year and as we go to edit the list we'd love to hear what your favorite experiences in the Blackstone River Valley are. We hope you take a moment to share them in the survey link below. Thank you! |
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Welcome to Chocolateville
Now the city of Central Falls
Site of one of the earliest water-powered chocolate manufacturing mills in North America.
Learn more about Chocolateville's "sweet legacy" here.
Corner of Roosevelt Ave./Charles St.
Central Falls, RI
Chocolate Mill Overlook Park is also home to a canoe/kayak launch site on the Blackstone River, a bicycle repair station, and more!
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Happy Valentine's Day!
Roses are red, violets are blue, we love history and hope you do, too!
Did you know that Worcester was the HEART of the American Valentine-making industry?
Learn more about the history of Valentine's Day and the prominent role that Worcester played in the Valentine's Day card business from the Worcester Historical Museum.
Photo: A George C. Whitney Company Valentine's Day card from the collection of the Worcester Historical Museum, Worcester, MA.
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For tips on where to find other Valentine's Day treats, including Chocolate Bombs, check out Blackstone Valley Tourism Council's blog.
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VISITING THE VALLEY UPDATE |
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While many heritage centers and historic sites remain closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, there is still much to explore within the Blackstone River Valley. Our network of outdoor areas, bikeways and greenways, and nature trails are open and ready to welcome you. Be sure to visit our website and view the Get Lost Guide for some great ideas. And don’t miss our GearHeads Junior Ranger page for the kids in your family! When visiting the Valley, be sure to wear your face mask and practice social distancing.
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor office in Whitinsville, MA and the Heritage Center in Worcester are open by appointment only. We can provide you with maps for the Corridor and the Blackstone River Bikeway and suggest places for outdoor recreation. We can also direct you to any historic sites and events that may have limited access, and you can stamp your National Park passport!
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Did You Miss a Newsletter? Find Past Issues on the BHC Website! |
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Stay Connected with Us on YouTube! |
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel and you will receive notifications when we release new videos.
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Become a GearHead Junior Ranger |
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Explore, Discover, Protect, and GO! |
Junior Rangers in the Blackstone River Valley are called GearHeads.
GearHead (n.): a kid, powered by the Gears in their brain; who explores nature, discovers history, protects the environment, and goes on adventures through 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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LEARN ABOUT WORCESTER'S MAJOR TAYLOR
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The Life and Legacy of Worcester Hero Major Taylor -...
American bicycle racer Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor (1878-1932) was the world's first Black sports superstar. Nicknamed "Major" in his youth in Indianapolis and later known as "the Worcester Whirlwind" after his adopted hometown in...
Read more
www.discovercentralma.org
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"Changing your perspective changes your experience."
Photo by Bonnie Combs taken at the Blackstone Gorge, Blackstone, MA.
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From all of us at BHC, we wish you well and look forward to seeing you soon! |
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