Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor |
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In This Edition - October 15, 2021
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park Installs New Signs in Whitinsville
- Whitinsville's National Register Historic District Sign Gets a Makeover
- BHC is Hiring: Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement
- In Search of Ghosts and October Celebrations in the Valley
- Plein Air Painting in Slatersville - Saturday, October 16
- Pieter de Jong Memorial Walk - Sunday, October 24
- BHC Seeks Nominations for John H. Chafee Awards
- Volunteer Open House - Tuesday, October 19
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New National Park Service Signs Installed in Whitinsville |
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The historic district of Whitinsville, MA, has a new addition with the installation of interpretive signs installed by Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park (BRVNHP). Three new signs help tell the story about Whitinsville’s important role in the industrialization of America. In addition, the Northbridge Historical Commission’s National Register Historic District map sign located on Church Street has been restored.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) on October 12th, local and elected officials celebrated BRVNHP’s presence in the community. The National Historical Park was created in 2014, and its boundaries include a newly-established historic district in Whitinsville. Click here to read more.
Pictured left to right: Eric Breitkreutz, Superintendent of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park; Adam Gaudette, Northbridge Town Manager; Dick Moore, Board Chair of Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor; Jeannie Hebert, President of Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce; Senator Ryan Fattman; Representative David Muradian; Senator Mike Moore; and Devon Kurtz, Executive Director of Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Not pictured is Congressman Jim McGovern, who attended electronically.
Photo by Carol Dandrade, Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassador.
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Sign located at the Northbridge Town Hall Annex at 14 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA. |
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Sign located in front of the 1826 Red Brick Mill Building at the Alternatives’ Whitin Mill complex at 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA. |
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Sign located on the Northbridge Town Common at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Church Street, Whitinsville, MA. |
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Blackstone Valley Tech Helps Restore Historic Map of Whitinsville |
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When Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park was preparing to install its new interpretive signs in Whitinsville, park staff discovered an old sign at the town common that had become illegible. It was the Whitinsville National Register Historic District sign created by Northbridge Town Historian and Northbridge Historical Commission member Ken Warchol many years ago.
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) staff began looking into the possibility of restoring that map and worked closely with Ken this past year. Unfortunately, there was no digital file to simply print a new sign. However, Ken had the original artwork stored away. The 4’ x 3’ map needed attention to restore it, and BHC reached out to Tom Lamont, the Painting and Design Technology instructor at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. His sophomore students helped clean the map and prepare it for photographing by Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassador Bob Evans. Final graphic touches were provided by Experience Design of Providence, RI, and Blackstone Valley Tech printed the new sign. Students also painted the existing frame and installed the refurbished map in time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week. We thank all involved in restoring this piece of history and for donating services for its replacement!
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Painting and Design Technology students from the sophomore class at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School helped restore and install the Whitinsville National Register Historic District map sign on the town common. In the center of the bottom row is their instructor, Tom Lamont. On the left in the top row is Ken Warchol, Northbridge Town Historian with Bonnie Combs from Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
Photo by Elise Bogdan.
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BHC is Hiring: Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement |
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In Search of Ghosts in the Blackstone Valley |
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Halloween is near, and it stirs up the witch’s pot with simmering tales of Blackstone Valley’s haunted history.
Local authors Thomas D’Agostino and Arlene Nicholson take you on a tour of the most haunted places in their book “Ghosts of the Blackstone Valley.” From Hope Cemetery in Worcester to Benefit Street in Providence, they uncover the myths and legends of haunted mills, cemeteries, homes, taverns, and roads in the Blackstone Valley.
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October Celebrations in the Valley |
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Saturday, October 16
Sunday, October 17
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Waters Farm
53 Waters Road
Sutton, MA
Admission: Adults $10/person
Military, Seniors 65 & older $8
Ages 5-17 $2, Kids under 5 FREE
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Family, fun, food, and activities galore at the 41st annual Waters Farm Fall Festival! Car Show, Tractor Pulls, Apple Crisp, Antique engines, Barrel Train Rides for Kids, Wild Mushrooming Demonstrations, Donkey and Mule Demos, Petting Zoo, and much more!
Photo of Ken Ethier at Waters Farm taken by Ellen Kawadler, BHC Photography Ambassador.
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Take a virtual field trip to Waters Farm in our Field Trip Fridays video! |
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Gone But Not Forgotten: Victorian Mourning & Funeral Customs
October 16, 23, 24, and 30
Hearthside House Museum
677 Great Road
Lincoln, RI
Admission: $18
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Simon Thornton may have died in 1873, but Hearthside House keeps his memory alive by presenting 19th-century Victorian mourning customs. Experience all of the traditions and superstitions embraced by Victorians, who viewed the pageantry of death as a necessary part of life.
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BOO MEADOW BROOK
Friday, October 22
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook
414 Massasoit Road
Worcester, MA
Tickets:
Members: Adult $10.00, Child $6.00
Nonmembers: Adult $14.00, Child $8.00
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Take a stroll through Broad Meadow Brook in the twilight or the dark! Explore the pumpkin and luminary lit trail. This self-guided experience will have you looking high and low for hidden creatures, natural items, and some costumed characters. Feel free to dress in costume to get into the spirit of the evening. This event is designed to be family-friendly. The trail is accessible for strollers and/or wheelchairs.
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Old Slater Mill: A Virtual Reinvestigation
Saturday, October 23
8:00 p.m.
On Zoom
Fee: $5.00 per device
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Join paranormal investigators Carl Johnson & Elise Carlson, and Thomas D’Agostino & Arline Nicholson as they revisit past investigations of Old Slater Mill, discuss findings, share evidence, take questions, and look at participant photos from past visits.
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Do the ghosts of America's industrial past haunt the Slater Mill historic museum in Pawtucket, Rhode Island? Find out in this History channel video. |
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Plein Air Painting in Slatersville - Saturday, October 16 |
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"Arts in the Parks"
Plein Air Painting in Slatersville
Saturday, October 16
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Meet at North Smithfield Town Hall
83 Greene Street
North Smithfield, RI
Come paint with us outdoors in the historic village of Slatersville, RI! Enjoy painting in the media of your choice at one of many vantage points in America's first planned industrial mill village.
Join us for our sixth and final Plein Air event of the year. Visit with us at North Smithfield Town Hall during North Smithfield Art Committee's Open House being held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This is a non-instructional event. Pre-registration required.
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Our "Arts in the Parks" Plein Air Painting series throughout Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park brought us to the Little Red Shop Museum in Hopedale, MA, during the town's "Day in the Park" event on September 18, 2021. Artists gathered to capture the museum and stunning views overlooking Hopedale Pond and the Parklands.
Video produced by Volunteers-In-Parks volunteer Dennis Smith with photos and video footage from Bob Evans, a Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassador and Volunteers-In-Parks volunteer.
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Pieter de Jong Memorial Walk - Sunday, October 24 |
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Pieter de Jong Memorial Walk
Sunday, October 24
1:00 p.m.
34 George Street, Mendon, MA
Pieter will be remembered and honored for his generosity of spirit and his commitment to the mission and vision of the BRWA, for his active advocacy work, and the many hours spent organizing activities like cleanups, paddles, and fishing events that brought people to the river that he loved so much. Pieter also served on the board of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and was president of the Blackstone River Coalition (BRC).
The memorial walk will depart from Pieter’s former residence -- the area he loved, enjoyed, and protected. The walk will be led by Peter Coffin and Susan Thomas and will last about 45 minutes. After the celebration and walk in Pieter’s honor, BRWA will be serving dessert and coffee and offering the opportunity for everyone to gather and share their memories. Rain date is Sunday, November 7.
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John H. Chafee Heritage Awards |
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BHC Seeks Nominations For John H. Chafee Heritage Awards |
The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) seeks nominations for the John H. Chafee Heritage Awards. The Chafee Awards honor individuals or groups who have worked on projects, programs, and organizations that promote cultural heritage, environmental conservation, and/or the quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley. Award winners will be honored early this winter.
BHC established the award to honor the late Senator John H. Chafee and recognizes citizens and organizations whose work in the Blackstone Valley embodies Chafee’s vision and ideas. Recipients have included community leaders, preservation heroes, business partners, environmental advocates, and students whose achievements resulted in public benefit.
To submit a nomination, send a one-page letter citing their accomplishments. In addition, please indicate if the candidate is a student for whom there is a separate category. Nominations must be received by October 18, 2021, and can be mailed to Chafee Awards, Blackstone Heritage Corridor, 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA, 01588, or emailed to Devon Kurtz at dkurtz@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.
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News from Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
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The National Park Service relies on many thousands of skilled volunteers to protect and honor American heritage. If you have an interest in volunteering at a local treasure, please reach out to the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.
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VOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, October 19
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark
67 Roosevelt Avenue
Pawtucket, RI
Come learn about volunteer opportunities to provide visitor services as a Park Ambassador Volunteer at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark in Pawtucket and Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence.
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Volunteers Needed for
Fall Cleanup at
Old Slater Mill and
Roger Williams National Memorial
Saturday, October 30
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help spruce up Old Slater Mill National Historic Site in Pawtucket and Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence. Volunteers are needed at the annual fall cleanup to rake leaves and plant spring bulbs. Rakes, gloves, and bags will be provided.
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Become a GearHead Junior Ranger |
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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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Tomb It May Concern:
Cemetery Discovery Guide
Visit a cemetery and discover history in your own backyard!
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Sutton Cemetery Nighttime Tour
Saturday, October 30
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sutton Center Cemetery
4 Uxbridge Road
Sutton, MA
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October 19 is Robert Goddard Day
One day when he was just 17, Robert Goddard was up in a cherry tree pruning branches when he had the first thought about creating a rocket. Throughout his life, he celebrated October 19th as his Anniversary Day.
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Celebrate Bat Week
October 24 to 31
Did You Know?
More than 1,300 species of bats live all over the world. These night-flying mammals usually only birth one pup per year, and some bats live up to 35 years. But they have unique dietary needs: some eat insects, some bats prefer fruit or pollen, and some even eat fish!
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Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
with our Interactive Map!
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670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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