Bill McGinnis Receives the 2nd Annual Suzanne Buchanan Volunteer of the Year Award

Suzanne inspired all of us to imagine the possibilities. She showed us that the natural and cultural resources in the Blackstone Heritage Corridor can be the basis for exciting recreation and a vibrant quality of life. In creating the Bikeway Ambassadors, the vision was for volunteers who would welcome visitors to the Bikeway, provide assistance to those in need, report hazards on the bikeway, and be the face of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor while biking or walking the bikeway. 



Bill McGinnis embodies this vision as a Bikeway Ambassador and as a volunteer for Accessible Cycling Programs. Bill can frequently be found riding or walking the Blackstone River Bikeway helping bikers with deflated tires and reporting in obstructions, down trees, or other hazards. All Out Adventures staff members, our partner in accessible cycling programs, praise Bill's demeanor, professionalism, and can-do attitude. He makes participants of this program feel welcomed and like they are already great friends when they ride together. Bill's presence on the Bikeway and at Accessible Cycling rides means that we know visitors will be welcomed and assisted with warmth and professionalism.  

Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone Receives Volunteer Partner of the Year Award

The Blackstone River Watershed Council/ Friends of the Blackstone is one of our longest-standing partnerships, working to improve the health and accessibility of the Blackstone River for over 30 years. This year, we recognize their commitment to working with individuals with disabilities through their Connecting through Canoes program, their partnership with the Indigenous Peoples of our region in their work towards the building of a fish passage at Pawtucket, their outreach to diverse communities throughout the Valley through new fishing programs, and their continued work to clean up the Blackstone River and its watershed. They have led litter cleanups and water chestnut pulls and are working to create a new town park. Last fiscal year, they logged 1,845 hours of volunteering!  

Pictured above, from left to right, are Juan Victor Rojas, John Marsland, Molly Cardoza, and Keith Hainley.

Special Recognition for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club

Blackstone Valley Paddle Club, a Volunteers-In-Parks program partner, was recognized for assisting the Harrisville Fire Department with a rescue of a missing resident they discovered while paddling on the Nipmuc River in Harrisville, RI, earlier this year.

Volunteers involved in that rescue include Steve Riendeau, Julie Riendeau, Dave Biernacki, Steve Norris, Manny Terezakis, Cheryl Thompson, Tom Farley, Cathy Cochran, Phil Johansen, Rick Everett, Orla Christiansen, Patrick Reddy, Joan Reddy, and Christine Satterwhite.

Nominations Are Open for John H. Chafee Heritage Awards

Created by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the John H. Chafee Heritage Award honors the late Senator’s legacy and recognizes individuals, groups, or students who have worked on projects that promote cultural heritage, environmental conservation, and the quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley. Past years’ recipients have celebrated community leaders, preservation heroes, business partners, environmental advocates, and students whose achievements resulted in the public’s benefit. These heroes have demonstrated the Valley’s long tradition of leadership and inspiration.

Find the nomination form at https://blackstoneheritagecorridor.org/about-bhc/john-h-chafee-heritage-awards/.

Cumberlandite & Elder Ballou Cemetery Tours

Saturday, January 27

10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m.

Elder Ballou Cemetery, Elder Ballou Road, Cumberland, RI

Every rock has a story to tell. Join us as we uncover the stories of Cumberlandite, the State Rock of Rhode Island. Join geologist and Volunteers-In-Parks volunteer Mark Dennen to learn more about Cumberlandite. Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park will lead a tour of the Elder Ballou Cemetery.

Please pre-register at https://bit.ly/Cumberlandite2024.

Happy holidays, everyone! It’s hard to believe I am already writing the introduction to our fall/early winter/holiday newsletter since it seems like only a few months ago we were ringing in New Year 2023. Time really flies when you are busy offering numerous public programs, working hard to keep our buildings and grounds maintained, nurturing beautiful flowers, overseeing studies on our historic structures, managing purchasing and divisional budgets, planning for the future of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, and hosting multiple special events with our wonderful tribal, nonprofit, municipal and state partners.  

As superintendent, I am particularly proud of our expansion of programs and events at Roger Williams National Memorial, our careful repairs and preservation of the bell towers and bell system at the Old Slater Mill, and our increase in community-based programs throughout the Blackstone River Valley in 2023. The Year 2024 promises to be just as busy, with some wonderful winter public programs coming your way in-person and online and with the implementation of our soon-to-be-finalized Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park General Management Plan.  

We look forward to seeing you online and in our parks and communities over the next several months, we hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday season, and we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. 

-Superintendent Eric Breitkreutz 

Work with Blackstone River Valley National Historical Par Next Year!

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park is seeking a Community Ambassador and Educator through the Latino Heritage Internship Program - LHIP.

The LHIP program seeks to engage Latino undergraduates and recent graduates ages 18 – 30 (up to 35 for veterans). In addition to working with the park, LHIP offers leadership training in cultural and natural resource management.

This internship runs May 20 to August 9, 2024. Apply by February 5, 2024. Learn more here.

Winter Hike at Gummere Woods

Sunday, December 10

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Gummere Woods, 5 Wheeler Road, Grafton, MA

Volunteer Phil Johansen will be leading a winter hike at Gummere Woods and Marsters Preserve. Join us as we explore these Grafton Land Trust trails along the Quinsigamond River to the famous Black Oak Tree. This recreational hike will be a 2.5-mile loop on gentle trails. We will be meeting at the parking area at 5 Wheeler Rd, North Grafton. Additional parking is available at Ekblaw Landing, 111 Worcester St. North Grafton.

Please contact mcardoza@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org for cancellation information due to weather.

RSVP at https://bit.ly/GLTWinter2023.

Thank you to all who donated to us on Giving Tuesday, November 28th.

Your donations help the Blackstone Heritage Corridor to continue its important work in protecting, promoting, and celebrating the Corridor and its many resources.

It's not too late to give! To make a gift today, please visit our donations page.

Thank you, Senator Moore!

Senator Richard T. Moore, one of our board members, was presented with an appreciation gift recently for his more than 35 years of service to the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

Pictured left to right are Dennis Rice, Board Chair; Senator Richard T. Moore, Board Member; and Devon Kurtz. Executive Director.