On Labor Day, the Museum of Work and Culture opened the Welcome Blanket exhibit in the gallery space. In partnership with Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, this special exhibit features hundreds of handmade blankets in all mediums from all over the country. Following the show's run through November, the blankets will be gifted to incoming refugees. Each blanket has a tag from the maker sharing an immigration story and a personal message for the receiver. | |
Corridor News - Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | |
An independent nonprofit preserving, promoting, and celebrating the Corridor's historic, natural, and recreational resources for current and future generations. | |
National Bike Your Park Day | |
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We'll be celebrating National Bike Your Park Day on Saturday, September 28, with a guided bike ride along the Blackstone River Greenway between Blackstone and Uxbridge. Meet at the Depot parking area at 85 Canal Street in Blackstone with your bike and helmet at 10 a.m. The round-trip distance is 7 miles over a flat paved surface.
Hear about efforts to complete the bikeway/greenway, one of the Corridor's top priorities. Learn about the Legacy Campaign at PreservetheCorridor.org.
Scroll down to find a Bike Your Park Day event with Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park in Rhode Island.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Ken Bedard | |
Meet Ken Bedard. Ken has been volunteering with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor for six years. In addition to serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Blackstone River Watershed Association, Ken volunteers as a tour guide for Maple Sugaring Days at River Bend Farm. He is also a Water Quality Monitor for the Blackstone River Coalition and gets involved with Earth Day cleanups and hiking programs. His motivation? “It’s the feel-good feeling of giving back to the community and seeing the excitement of the kids and adults learning something new. It allows me to step outside my comfort zone by speaking to groups.” Read more. | |
As we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, we are reminded of the sacrifices, wisdom, and resilience that shaped our history. Their stories of courage and innovation have paved the way for us to reach new heights. Now, it is our turn to build upon this legacy. Learn about our Legacy Campaign here. | |
Our next FUNdraiser will be at The Guild Brewing Co. in Pawtucket in October. Between October 3 and 17, $2 from the purchase of a select beer (including pints and crowlers) will be donated to Blackstone Heritage Corridor. Be sure to join us on Thursday, October 3rd, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to help kick this off. Meanwhile, help us name our beer by voting for your favorite name. Cast your vote at https://bit.ly/votepwp. | |
Champions of the Blackstone | |
Nominations are now open for Blackstone Heritage Corridor's Champions of the Blackstone Awards. Please submit nominations by Sunday, September 22, 2024. | |
Created by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the John H. Chafee Leadership Award honors the late Senator’s legacy and recognizes individuals who have worked on projects that promote cultural heritage, environmental conservation, economic development, and the quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley. Past years’ recipients have celebrated community leaders, preservation heroes, business partners, and environmental advocates whose achievements resulted in the public’s benefit. These heroes have demonstrated the Valley’s long tradition of leadership and inspiration. | |
The Blackstone Heritage Corridor Student of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding student or group of students (Elementary, Middle, and High School age) who have worked on projects that promote cultural heritage and/or environmental conservation in the Blackstone River Valley. | |
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Do you know a Volunteers-In-Parks Volunteer in the Blackstone Heritage Corridor who goes above and beyond?
The Suzanne Buchanan Volunteer of the Year Award was created in 2021 to honor a volunteer who embodies the welcoming spirit and unbridled enthusiasm that Suzanne demonstrated, recorded extraordinary volunteer hours, and/or encouraged new volunteers.
Who can be nominated: any volunteer with BHC and our VIP partners who have recorded volunteer hours between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
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The Blackstone Heritage Corridor Partner of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding Partner organization that has worked on projects that promote cultural heritage, environmental conservation, and the quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley. | |
Save the date of Thursday, December 5th, for the Champions of the Blackstone Awards Reception at Alternatives' Whitin Mill in Whitinsville. | |
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.
- Sunday, September 29: Turner Reservoir Hike, East Providence
- Saturday, October 26: Moshassuck River Preserve Hike, Lincoln
- Friday, November 29: Wolf Hill Hike, Smithfield
The following is a list of hikes in Massachusetts with Trail Ambassador Phil. Phil's hikes begin at 10 a.m.
- Saturday, September 14: Cormier Woods, Uxbridge
- Sunday, September 29: Douglas State Forest, Douglas
- Saturday, October 12: Castle Hill Farm, Whitinsville
- Saturday, October 26: Wallis Pond Loop, Douglas
- Saturday, November 9: Hopedale Parklands, Hopedale
- Sunday, November 24: Inman Hill, Mendon
- Saturday, December 7: Shaw Farm, Sutton
- Saturday, December 21: Gummere Woods, Grafton
Find event details on our events calendar.
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If you have joined us on any of our hikes this past year, we'd love to hear some feedback in our hiking survey. We want to learn about your experience on our volunteer-led hikes. Thank you! | |
News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park | |
Old Slater Mill is open for the season! Click here for visitor information. | |
Celebrate Bike Your Park Day! | |
National Bike Your Park Day
Saturday, September 28
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Start and end at 1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI
Ride with us from Blackstone River State Park down to Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI! Learn about the origins of the American Industrial Revolution and enjoy the early fall weather in New England. Meet in front of the Kelly House Museum at 1075 Lower River Rd., Lincoln, RI, at 9:30 AM.
Please note that one segment of this ride includes on-street travel (off the bikeway). Bring your own bicycle and safety equipment, including a helmet. Free and open to all.
Distance: 12.6 miles
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The 1670 Jenks Settlement Walking Tour
Saturdays, October 12, 19, and 26, at 11:30 AM
Meet in front of Sylvanus Brown House on the Old Slater Mill campus, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI.
Join interpreter Joshua Choiniere of the Old Slater Mill Association for a walking tour of the original settlement of Pawtucket Village. This tour will extend all the way up to Bayley Street. This program will cover approximately one mile on paved surface, with some small hills and steps. Meet in front of Sylvanus Brown House on the Old Slater Mill campus.
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I Dig Slater Mill
Saturday, October 12 & Sunday, October 13
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Old Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket,RI
Experience Archaeology Month at Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park!
Learn about the archaeological digs that have taken place at Old Slater Mill and see artifacts courtesy of the Slater Industrial Archives. Watch footage of archaeologists working on the site, try hands-on activities, and conduct a search for small treasures.
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Blackstone River State Park Activity Day
Saturday, October 26
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Kelly House Barn, 1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI
Calling all Junior Archaeologists! Do hands-on activities and learn about the importance of archaeology during this free drop-in program at the Kelly House Barn. Discover the history of local plants from an archeological perspective and learn about the importance of bats and other pollinators. You may also earn a Junior Pollinator badge and complete the booklet.
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Fall Field Trips at Slater Mill
Attention teachers: do you want to book a field trip? Reach out to us today! We are welcoming field trips for elementary and secondary school students at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark in Pawtucket, RI. Each visit includes a tour of Old Slater Mill as well as optional group activities. The current capacity for a group field trip is 60 people at a time for up to 90 minutes. There is no fee, but reservations are required.
Starting in September, the park will offer field trips on Wednesdays (9:30 AM to 1:30 PM). Reservations can be made by emailing Allison Horrocks (Allison_Horrocks@nps.gov) or calling 401-318-4883.
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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:
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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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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