If going on a guided mushroom walk is on your Blackstone Valley bucket list, you're in luck! Join us for a Mushroom Foray on Sunday, October 16, at the Brigham Hill Wildlife Area in Grafton, MA. Learn more and RSVP at https://blackstoneheritagecorridor.org/event/mushroom-foray/.
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
September 29, 2022
Coming Soon: The "Margaret M. Carroll Memorial Greenway Access Area" at the Blackstone River Greenway in Millville, MA

In memory of Margaret Carroll's many years as Millville's town historian, educator, preservationist, and charter member of the Blackstone River Valley Volunteers-In-Parks program and the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, a section of the Blackstone River Greenway in Millville, MA, will be named the "Margaret M. Carroll Memorial Greenway Access Area."

On August 26, 2022, legislation was passed for this special dedication at the Massachusetts State House under Chapter 201 of the Acts of 2002. Included in the legislation is a directive that the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation shall erect a memorial bench and signage bearing this dedication. MA State Representative Michael J. Soter and MA State Senator Ryan C. Fattman introduced the legislation first proposed by Margaret Carroll's longtime friend Joe Doherty and presented by Blackstone Heritage Corridor's Board Chair Richard T. Moore.


Pictured waving in the rear of the adaptive tandem bicycle is Margaret Carroll during the special "Bucket List" ride on the Blackstone River Greenway. The ride was held in her honor on October 12, 2017, with support from All Out Adventures and MassDCR's Universal Access Program. Over the years, this event inspired several accessible recreation programs on the Blackstone River Bikeway/Greenway.
Representatives of Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) attended the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Back to Business Breakfast with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on September 29th.

Pictured here, left to right, are Richard T. Moore, BHC's Board Chair; Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey; Devon Kurtz, BHC's Executive Director; and Harry Whitin, BHC Board Member.
Mushroom Foray
Sunday, October 16
10 a.m. to Noon
Brigham Hill Wildlife Area
North Brigham Hill Rd., Grafton, MA

Join PhD Students from Clark University, Prasanth Prakash Prabhu and Thomas Roehl, for a mushroom foray with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and the Grafton Land Trust.

Learn more and RSVP at https://bit.ly/MushroomForayBHC.
Photography Walk
Saturday, October 22
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Millville - Blackstone - Woonsocket

Are you a photography enthusiast looking to gather with people of like mind? Join Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassador Bob Evans for a guided photography walk to some of his favorite places, including the Blackstone Gorge, Millville Lock, Triad Bridge, and Thundermist Dam. Join us on this walk to capture the Blackstone Valley during the beautiful foliage season to learn some great photo tips and how to get involved with volunteering!

Learn more and RSVP at https://bit.ly/PhotoWalk22
Saturday, October 1 - Sutton, MA
Saturday, October 8 through Monday, October 10 - Woonsocket, RI
Sunday, October 9 - Mendon, MA
Friday, October 14 - Uxbridge, MA
Saturday, October 15 - Sutton, MA
Saturday, October 15 - Glocester, RI
October 15, 23, 29, 30 - Hearthside House, Lincoln, RI
October 15 &16 - Sutton, MA
Pirates on the Blackstone
Through October 30
Central Falls Landing

Are you ready to become a pirate? Excitement, surprises, and shanty singing are all in store for you aboard The Explorer. This 20-minute journey is great for children of all ages and includes a FREE GIFT and fun activities on shore. Come fully dressed as a pirate to increase the fun!
Festival of Illumination -
"Once Upon a Time"
at Southwick's Zoo
Wednesdays through Sundays
5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
through December 31

Be immersed in the magical world of impressive and larger-than-life Festival of Illumination lanterns, showcasing the incredible artistry of handcrafted Chinese Lanterns. The 2022 Festival of Illumination, themed "Once Upon a Time," takes guests on an epic journey through forgotten stories of legendary creatures, myths, and fairy tales; a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you don't want to miss!

For more info and tickets, visit https://www.festivalofillumination.com/.
Get Your Events on Our Calendar!
What's Going On?
Share your events with us by listing them on the Blackstone Heritage Corridor's events page.

Click on the blue tab that says Submit Community Events!

Need help? Call us at 508-234-4242 or email bcombs@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.
Let's Hit the Hiking Trails!
Save the dates for hikes with BHC Trail Ambassador Ernie Germani!

Saturday, October 1: Moshassuck River Preserve, Lincoln, RI
Saturday, October 15: Mercy Woods, Cumberland, RI
Sunday, November 6: Historic Providence - Part 2
Friday, November 25: Wolf Hill, Smithfield, RI
New Hikes in Massachusetts
led by new BHC Trail Ambassador Phil Johansen
Don't forget the Family Hike at West Hill Dam for National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 24!
Second Saturday Hikes With the North Smithfield Heritage Association
Join the North Smithfield Heritage Association for its History and Nature Walks series on the second Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m.

Find the complete schedule at https://www.nsheritageassn.org/historic-tours.

Additional details are posted on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/northsmithfieldheritage.
Get on the Water with BRWC/FOB
Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone presents Connecting with Canoes

Saturday, October 15

Come and enjoy a canoe adventure on the Blackstone River. No experience is required. Meet at 100 New River Road, Manville, RI, at 9:00 a.m.$30.00 per person. Instruction, equipment, and guides are provided. Wear good water shoes and bring water. RSVP at 401-644-3215.
Nominations Open for John H. Chafee Heritage Awards
The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) is seeking nominations for John H. Chafee Heritage Awards. This award honors individuals or groups who have worked on projects, programs, and institutions that promote the cultural heritage and the preservation of natural areas and strive to enrich the quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley.

BHC established the award to honor the late Senator John H. Chafee and recognize 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, or students whose achievements resulted in public benefit.

To nominate someone for the award, submit a nomination form citing their accomplishments. There is a separate category for students. Find the form at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org/john-h-chafee-heritage-awards. Nominations must be received by November 30, 2022, and can be mailed to John H. Chafee Award, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA, 01588, or emailed to Devon Kurtz at dkurtz@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.
Volunteers in Action
Thank you to Volunteers-In-Parks volunteers Joe and Joanne Johnson for helping out at the Labor Day Weekend festivities at Old Slater Mill!
Thank you to Volunteers-In-Parks Volunteer Eric Harris for assisting in our booth at the ZAP50 Celebration at Old Slater Mill. Eric was also a ZAP50 Community Captain for the Town of Douglas!
Thank you to the Whitinsville Christian School for their Day of Service on September 23rd. We also thank our partners at Daniels Farmstead, Waters Farm, and Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park for hosting service projects.
News from Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
At a ceremony held in Washington, D.C., on September 8th, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland awarded Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, the National Park Service Environmental Compliance and Cleanup Division, and the National Park Service Northeast Regional Office a U.S. Department of the Interior Environmental Achievement Award in the category of Cultural Resources Protection.

The award celebrated the inclusion of the Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark District into the National Park Service using an innovative series of integrated, precedent-setting legal, political, financial, cultural, and natural resource strategies to advance challenging national, state, and local objectives. The Old Slater Mill initiative established a framework that may be replicated across the country for future National Park Service acquisitions, particularly those in urban settings where historical environmental contamination may exist.

Pictured above (left to right): Shawn Mulligan, Lead - Environmental Compliance and Cleanup Division (ECCD), National Park Service; Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland; and Eric Breitkreutz, Superintendent, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.
2nd Annual Archive Remix Film Festival
Saturday, October 1
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark
67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI

Join the Rhode Island Historical Society for an outdoor screening of its 2nd Annual Archive Remix Film Festival at Old Slater Mill.

The film festival is an hour-long program of 3-minute creative remixes by local filmmakers using materials from the RIHS Moving Image and Audio Collections (MIAC). Creators were provided with access to over 300 minutes of footage from the 20th Century and tasked with creating 3-minute short films composed of at least 75% archival footage.

Ample parking is available, and guests are welcome to bring coolers and refreshments (no alcohol). In the event of inclement weather, the event will move indoors to the Blackstone Valley Tourism’s theatre, located directly across the street from Slater Mill.
Revisiting the Archaeology of the Kelly House and Blackstone Canal
Saturday, October 15
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Kelly House Museum
1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI

In 1992, archaeologists from Rhode Island College’s Public Archaeology Program conducted investigations around the Captain Wilbur Kelly House (ca. 1820) and along the Blackstone Canal in Ashton in preparation for the soon-to-be-constructed bike path.

Revisit the location with one of the archaeologists that was involved in the original investigations, National Park Service Ranger John McNiff, and see how the results of those investigations are being interpreted today along that bike path. Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven or rough terrain.
I Dig Slater Mill
Sunday, October 16
1:00 p.m.
Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark, 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 National Historic Landmark and see a model of the Wilkinson water wheel. Watch footage of archaeologists working on the site and conduct a search for small treasures.
Fall Cleanups at Old Slater Mill and Roger Williams National Memorial
Saturday, October 22
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark
67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI

Roger Williams National Memorial
282 N. Main Street, Providence, RI

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Assist with fall cleanups on the grounds of Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark or Roger Williams National Memorial. Stop by anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. All cleanup supplies will be provided (rakes, gloves, etc.). Free parking is available onsite. The rain date is October 29.
Birthday Celebration at Roger Williams National Memorial

Saturday, October 22
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Roger Williams National Memorial 282 N. Main St., Providence, RI

On October 22, 1965, Congress
established the Roger Williams National Memorial to commemorate the life of the founder of Rhode Island and a champion of the ideal of religious freedom.  

Come celebrate its 57th birthday and view original 17th-century documents and artifacts from the collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society and Rhode Island Secretary of State’s office. Roger Williams himself will be there to answer all your questions. At 2:30 p.m., there will be cake and cider! 

All the events will take place at the Hahn Memorial, located in the Roger Williams National Memorial. Formerly known as the Roger Williams Spring Park, the Hahn Memorial was created in the 1930s when religious freedom around the world was under attack. The Hahn Memorial honors the first person of Jewish heritage elected to public office in Providence. 
slater mill
Visit Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark

Through December 3, 2022
Thursday - Sunday
10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM
Visit the calendar for details.

Join a Park Ranger on a tour of the mill that started the American Industrial Revolution. These 30-minute guided tours investigate the historical significance of Slater Mill and what valuable lessons the building is still teachings us. For more info, visit nps.gov/blrv. Free admission. The visitor center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Meditation and Movement at the Mill  
On select Saturdays through October, Metamorphosis Dance Co. will be presenting free meditation and movement workshops at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark. Join them for Contemplative Dance Practice (CDP) from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 
 
CDP combines meditation and movement. Bring a blanket, yoga mat, and your own cushions to be comfortable on the ground. When you arrive to the mill, arrange your cushions around the edges of the space. 
 
This practice was created by Barbara Dilley. Nikki Lee will facilitate at Slater Mill. There are no fees to participate and no need to register. 
Dates: October 1, October 8, October 15, October 22, and October 29. 
Self-Guided Tours on the NPS Mobile App
Do you plan on visiting Slater Mill or Slatersville? If so, check out Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park's new self-guided tours.

These audio tours are available on the NPS Mobile App. The Mobile App can be downloaded for Apple or Google phones. Once on the app, choose Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, then select self-guided tours.

More self-guided tours will soon be available for the Blackstone River State Park and Ashton, Whitinsville, and Hopedale.

Do you enjoy learning about the history of the Blackstone River Valley? Subscribe to the park's YouTube page to see recordings of past programs, episodes of Along the Blackstone, and more. 

"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!
Make a Replica of the Lady Carrington Canal Boat
On October 6, 1928, the Lady Carrington packet/passenger boat arrived in Worcester after its journey along the Blackstone Canal, marking the official opening of the new waterway.

Robert Goddard "Anniversary Day" is October 19

Make a paper rocket and a model of Robert Goddard and his rocket to celebrate the father of modern rocketry!

Bat Week: October 24 to 31
Join the international celebration of the role of bats in nature!
Visit BatWeek.org to learn more!
Calling All Scouts - Earn a Scout Ranger Certificate or Badge!
Click here to learn about the Boy Scout Ranger program.
Click here to learn about the Girl Scout Ranger program.
Be a Scout Ranger in the Blackstone River Valley!
Scouts and Park Rangers have a lot in common! We are all inspired to act as good stewards of public lands and to learn more about our communities.
Participants in the Scout Ranger program can earn a certificate or a patch.

As a Scout Ranger you will:
  • Learn about the mission of the National Park Service.
  • Help protect the nation’s natural, cultural, and historic resources.
  • Explore and learn about your national parks.
  • Achieve unique recognition from the National Park Service.
Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
With Our Interactive Map!
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.

670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242