The view from the historic Little Red Shop Museum in Hopedale, MA, continues to change with the ongoing demolition of the Draper Mill. Draper Corp.'s history is carefully preserved at the museum, which is now open on the first and third Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and each Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. through the fall. The Little Red Shop Museum (the red building on the left in the above picture) is located at 12 Hopedale Street on Hopedale Pond.
Photo by Bob Evans, Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassador
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
In This Edition: - July 27, 2021

  • Volunteer Open House Pop-Up Tour
  • New Volunteer Opportunities
  • Outdoor Movie Night: July 31 at BRWC/FOB - Microplastic Madness
  • BRWA Public Input Event - Blackstone River Needs Assessment: August 5
  • News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
  • Founders Day Celebration: August 25
  • Plein Air Painting at Old Slater Mill: August 25
  • GearHeads/Junior Ranger Event: August 14 - Be a River Ranger for the Day
  • Massachusetts Tax -Free Weekend: August 14 & 15 - Shop AmazonSmile for BHC

Volunteer Open House Pop-Up Tour
We're taking our Volunteer Open House program on the road! Come and learn about exciting new volunteer opportunities with the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.


NEW DATE:

Note: The Pop-Up event at Roger Williams National Memorial was moved from July 28 to August 19.
For more information, contact Suzanne Buchanan, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.
New Volunteer Opportunities!
Looking for some exciting new volunteer opportunities? Want to work alongside Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park's rangers and staff? Check out the Visitor Services and Groundskeeping opportunities below.

  • Kelly Barn at Capt. Wilbur Kelly House Museum
  • Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark
  • Roger Williams National Memorial


  • Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark District
  • Roger Williams National Memorial

For more information, contact Suzanne Buchanan, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.
Outdoor Movie Night at BRWC/FOB on July 31
MOVIE UNDER THE STARS: Microplastic Madness

Saturday, July 31
Screening at Sunset - Gates Open at 5 p.m.

Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone
100 New River Road
Lincoln, RI

Join us down by the river to watch an inspiring story about students from Brooklyn who take on plastic pollution and create change in their school and community!
Gates open early for picnicking, games, Junior Ranger activities, and recreation on the nature trails, the Blackstone River, or the Blackstone River Bikeway.

Our special guest is Dan Meharg, former National Park Service Ranger at Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and a star in the film! Come celebrate World Ranger Day and say hello to Dan! It's also Plastic Free July, and Max Man from Rhode Island Resource Recovery and Melissa from 15 Minute Field Trips will be joining us too!
A special thanks to Whole Foods Market at University Heights in Providence, RI, for donating natural insect repellent for the event!


This free screening is presented in partnership with the Providence Children's Film Festival.
Blackstone River Needs Assessment - Public Comment Event - Thursday, August 5
Public Comment Event: Blackstone Needs Assessment
Sponsored by the Blackstone River Watershed Association

Thursday, August 5
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Location:
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
670 Linwood Avenue
Whitinsville, MA 01588

Representatives from the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program and the Blackstone River Watershed Association will present highlights of the Blackstone Needs Assessment Project. There will be ample time for questions and comments from members of the public. Refreshments will be provided during the meeting. Please complete a registration for EACH person attending. Also, after the meeting ends at 8:00, you can visit Purgatory Beer Co. across the parking lot for some social time and further discussion for those interested.

You can view the Blackstone Needs Assessment documents here: https://www.nbep.org/blackstone-needs-assessment.
News from Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Old Slater Mill is Now Open for Free Tours!
slater mill
TOUR OLD SLATER MILL
Discover the stories that the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution still tells us today.

Tours will be offered at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays.
All guided tours are free and open to the public.

The Visitor Contact Station at Slater Mill will remain open Thursdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Wilkinson Mill and Sylvanus Brown House remain closed at this time. Visit the Park's calendar for the latest updates: nps.gov/blrv/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.

Address: 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI

Photo on the right: The model 1832 Spinning Frame in action at Old Slater Mill.

Thursdays: August 5, 12, 19, 26
7:00 p.m.

Old Slater Mill
67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI

This August, RI Music Hall of Famer Mark Cutler will be leading collaborative songwriting workshops on Thursday evenings at Old Slater Mill.

No musical talent or previous songwriting experience is necessary. Come on out and join people from all over the community as we create some new music and enjoy the beauty of the Blackstone River.
Join Us to Celebrate Founders Day on August 25
Plein Air Painting at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark
Arts in the Parks: Plein Air Painting
at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark District

Wednesday, August 25
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark
67 Roosevelt Avenue
Pawtucket, RI

Celebrate Founders Day at Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park!

Come paint with us outdoors! Enjoy painting in the media of your choice at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark District with views of the 1793 Old Slater Mill, the 1810 Wilkinson Mill, the 1758 Sylvanus Brown House, the Blackstone River, and a garden.

This will be a non-instructional event. Pre-registration required.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK
Volunteer at
Shakespeare in the Park
Roger Williams National Memorial
282 North Main Street
Providence, RI

Do we have a volunteer opportunity for you! An evening in Providence at Roger Williams National Memorial supporting the NPS staff for a series of “Shakespeare In the Park.” This year’s performance is Anthony & Cleopatra under the stars.
No acting is required for your supporting role! We are seeking one person a night or come as a team. Volunteers will be asked to sit by the backdoor of the Visitor Center at 7:30 p.m. for 30 minutes before the show starts to make sure no one besides the actors goes in and out, and then again during the 9:00 p.m. intermission for 15 minutes. You can either sit by the door again or sit in the Visitor Center while the bathrooms are open. The rest of the time, volunteers are welcome to sit back and enjoy the show with the audience. 

Dates of volunteer opportunities:
Thursday through Sunday nights: August 19-22, August 26-29, and September 2-5. The show will run from 8 p.m. to about 10 p.m.

Note: The Shakespeare in the Park series has not been announced to the public at this time. However, as soon as more information becomes available, we will share it. You can also follow Roger Williams National Memorial on Facebook or visit nps.gov/rowi for updates.
VOLUNTEER WITH BHC
IN A GREENWAY CHALLENGE TRANSITION TENT!
Come and VOLUNTEER with us!

Looking for an exciting volunteer opportunity?

Come and volunteer with us at the UNIBANK Blackstone River Valley Greenway Challenge!

We are sponsoring a transition site at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge.

Volunteers will help with transitions from street bikes to trail run, trail run to paddle, and final paddle to run. Site jobs include timing, direction posts, crowd control, etc.

To learn more, contact Bonnie Combs at bcombs@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org.
Become a GearHead Junior Ranger
"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!
Meet Us On the Blackstone River!

August 14 at 10:30 a.m.

Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone
100 New River Road, Lincoln, RI

Join us for a nature hike along the Blackstone River and learn about water quality and what you can do to protect the river and the Blackstone River Watershed.
We'll meet with Nick, who receives the water quality samples that volunteers collect on sampling day, to learn about the testing and reporting. Then we'll go for a Blue Mind walk along the river trails at Sycamore Landing. Finally, we'll stop at the new meditation area to work on a nature journal and read the "Appreciate the Blackstone River" activity book. Pack a lunch and stay for a picnic on the grounds where you can enjoy a pollinator garden and more!
Make your own nature journal for your outdoor adventures!

Nature Notes is your own private collection of notes, thoughts, ideas, and drawings about what you observe outside.

You can organize and decorate your journal any way you would like.


Note: print double-sided and fold in half.
Saturday, July 31 - Movie Under the Stars:
Microplastic Madness
July 31 is World Ranger Day and the last day of Plastic Free July. We have a special celebration planned for GearHeads/Junior Rangers and their families!

Join us at the Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone, 100 New River Road in Lincoln, RI, for a free outdoor movie night!

We'll be watching Microplastic Madness!

Gates will open at 5 p.m. to explore the 12-acre Sycamore Landing, home of the Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone. Bring your canoes and kayaks for a paddle on the river, and/or bring your bikes for a ride along Blackstone River Bikeway. Bring your chairs and blankets for a picnic before the movie at sunset.

Special guests include Max Man from Rhode Island Resource Recovery and Dan Meharg, former National Park Service Ranger at Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and a star in the film! Melissa from 15 Minute Fields trips is joining us too! A special thanks to Whole Foods Market at University Heights in Providence, RI, for donating natural insect repellent for the event!

This free screening is presented in partnership with the Providence Children's Film Festival. Microplastic Madness received PCFF's Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary 2020. Learn more here.
Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday - August 14 and 15
Shop Amazon Smile to Support
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
Did you know that if you shop on Amazon that you can support the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor with your purchases? By switching your browser to Smile.Amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. 

You can use this unique link provided by AmazonSmile to get started and have your percentage donated to BHC:


If there are items on your wish list, don't forget that the Massachusetts sales tax holiday for 2021 will occur on August 14 and 15. Retail items of up to $2,500, purchased in Massachusetts for personal use on these two days, will be exempt from sales tax. If you order and pay for an eligible item over the internet on the sales tax holiday, Eastern Daylight Time, that item will qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption. No sales tax is due on that purchase, even if delivery of the item occurs after the sales tax holiday weekend. Learn more about the sales tax holiday here.
Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
with our Interactive Map!
Did you know that last week was National Moth Week? While visiting the pollinator garden at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park last Friday, we spotted this Hummingbird Moth having breakfast!
Photo by Bonnie Combs.


670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.