Pictured here is the fish ladder along the Ten Mile River at Hunt's Mills in East Providence. The Ten Mile River Watershed Council is looking for volunteers to count returning herring starting April 1st. Contact Keith Gonsalves at keith@tenmileriver.net to learn more. In addition, the East Providence Historical Society hosts an open house at this site in the Hunt House Museum on the second Sunday of each month, March through November, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and guided walking tours of the Hunt's Mills trail are offered at 1:30 p.m. by BHC Trail Ambassador Ernie Germani.
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Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor |
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Blackstone River Valley Volunteers-In-Parks News |
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We could not do the work we do without the support of our Volunteers-In-Parks (VIPs) from across the Blackstone Valley. Our volunteers provide visitor services at the National Historical Park nodes, lead hikes and bike rides, restore cemeteries and do so much more around the Corridor.
Volunteers are supported through Skills Workshops training opportunities and are encouraged to grow as leaders. If you would like to be part of our dynamic team of VIPs, please join us for the Volunteer Open House on April 20th to learn more about our opportunities and programs.
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Volunteer Open House
Wednesday, April 20
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Blackstone Heritage Corridor Office
670 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville, MA
Join us during National Volunteer Week and National Park Week to learn about our Volunteers-In-Parks program. Discover exciting volunteer opportunities throughout the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage and with the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. Come share your skills and interests and make new friends. Imagine the possibilities!
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Volunteer Opportunities:
Park Ambassadors Needed at
Old Slater Mill and
Roger Williams National Memorial
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With many historic cemeteries throughout the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor that have fallen into disrepair and experienced neglect, there are many volunteers who have the skills and passion to preserve and protect them.
In addition, Cemetery Conservation Ambassadors in Sutton, MA, have an ongoing restoration project at Sutton Center Cemetery that you can get involved with! If you are interested in learning more about this cemetery conservation project and how you can contribute, contact Molly Cardoza, BHC's Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement, at mcardoza@BlackstoneHeritgeCorridor.org.
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Become a Bikeway Ambassador! |
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Volunteers-In-Parks Skills Workshop Series |
Tuesday, April 12
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Blackstone Heritage Corridor Office
670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA
Learn how to get your bike ready for spring!
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Join us on the Blackstone River Bikeway/Greenway
on Saturday, April 23rd!
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10 a.m. to Noon
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Accessible Cycling for Veterans |
The Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bikeway Ambassadors will be supporting All Out Adventures this season with its free accessible cycling events for Veterans and their loved ones along the Blackstone River Bikeway/Greenway in MA and RI. This program is made possible by a federal Veterans Adaptive Sports Grant received by AOA. Click on the flyer for details.
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Let's Hit the Hiking Trails! |
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Who is ready for some group hikes?
We are actively planning guided hikes throughout the Blackstone River Valley this year.
We hope you'll join us!
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Hike at the Monastery
Cumberland, RI
Saturday, April 2
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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Save the dates for more hikes with BHC Trail Ambassador Ernie Germani!
Friday, November 25: Wolf Hill, Smithfield, RI
Watch for hikes in the Massachusetts Corridor communities coming soon!
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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.
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Spring Cleanups Are Here! |
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ZAP the Blackstone:
50th Anniversary
Saturday, August 27: Watershed-Wide Cleanup
Saturday, September 10: 50th Anniversary Celebration at Old Slater Mill
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BRWC/FOB Hosts Premiere of Kittacuck Speaks on Earth Day - April 22 |
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Friday, April 22
7:00 p.m.
Blackstone River Theatre
549 Broad St., Cumberland, RI
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Celebrate Earth Day with the Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone for the premiere of "Kittacuck Speaks." Learn more.
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Learn the Untold Story of Franco-Americans Working in the Textile Industry |
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Sutton Historical Society Hosts Presentation by David Vermette, Author, A Distinct Alien Race
Tuesday, April 26
7:00 p.m. to 8:00
Manchaug Mills, Blaxton Hall
9 Main Street, Sutton, MA 01590
David Vermette, Author, A Distinct Alien Race – The Untold Story of Franco-Americans, will present his research about the impact of a million French-Canadians crossing the border between 1840 and the 1930s, seeking work in New England’s burgeoning textile industry. Read more.
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BRWA Annual Meeting and Screening of "Pakachoag: Where the River Bends" |
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Annual Meeting and Screening of "Pakachoag: Where the River Bends"
Wednesday, May 18
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Grafton Public Library
35 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA
Save the date of Saturday, June 4 for Family Fun Fishing Day at River Bend Farm!
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Spring is HERE! Join Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park rangers for guided walks to enjoy some beautiful places in the Blackstone Valley!
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Wednesday, March 30
National Take a Walk in the Park Day: Hopedale Parklands
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Meet at the Little Red Shop Museum
12 Hopedale Street
Hopedale, MA
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Wednesday, April 6
National Walking Day: Walk with a Ranger
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Meet at Blackstone River State Park
1075 Lower River Road
Lincoln, RI
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News from Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
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Six Sites, Six Connections, Endless Stories
Explore America's national parks with us!
Join us as we travel through the sites that make up Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, connecting with national park staff from important sites along the way. We look forward to sharing unexpected connections and tips for finding your park.
All programs are free and hosted online at 7:00 PM EST.
MARCH 31 - EQUALITY
April 7 - SPACE
April 14 - COTTON
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Saturday, April 16 to Sunday, April 24 |
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Old Slater Mill Reopens for Tours:
Friday, April 22
Saturday, April 23
Friday, April 29
Saturday, April 30
Free tours of Old Slater Mill will be available at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the above dates.
Stay tuned for a tour schedule in May.
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Volunteers Needed for Spring Cleanup at Old Slater Mill
Saturday, April 23
9 a.m. to Noon
67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI
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Celebrate National Volunteer Week and National Park Week by volunteering to prepare the Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark for spring and summer by raking leaves and cleaning up the grounds. Staff will provide gloves, rakes, brooms, and all other supplies. It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes and clothing for working outdoors. This cleanup will take place rain or shine.
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Eagle Scout Project at Old Slater Mill
On Saturday, April 30th, local Boy Scout Eddie McClung will be finishing his Eagle Scout Project. Eddie has been fundraising and working on building new picnic tables and flower barrels for Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI.
We are thrilled to see Eddie striving for his Eagle Scout Award. Join us in cheering him on toward the finish line!
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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.
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Find Recordings from the Work/Life Winter Series on YouTube! |
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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.
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Roger Williams National Memorial Hosts
Roger Williams's Letters Virtual Series
Wednesday, April 20
6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - on Zoom
A lot can be gleaned from seeing an original manuscript. A manuscript is the author's hand putting pen to paper. Thoughts, to hand, to paper, and down to us through the ages. It is very different from the printed word. You can see the intensity, style, emotions as the words are being written.
April 18, 2019.
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First Strike Festival at Old Slater Mill
Saturday, May 21
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park's First Strike Festival will commemorate the first industrial labor strike in America, which was at Slater Mill in 1824.
The First Strike Festival will honor this historical event with performances, local artists, walking tours, live music and dance, rest, and community. Acts include Caperverdean American Community Development, Mark Cutler, RI Black Storytellers, and Eastern Medicine Singers. Visit nps.gov/blrv for more information.
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Join Us for Blackstone Valley Day at Polar Park- Tuesday, June 14 |
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Join the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor for "Blackstone Valley Day" at Polar Park!
Tickets are $25 and include a $10 loaded value
for concessions, beverages, and the team fan shop too!.
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Thank You & Farewell to Rob and Carol Dandrade |
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On behalf of BHC staff, board of directors, and volunteers, we wish Rob and Carol Dandrade a fond farewell as they move out of state. We are forever grateful for their combined contributions to the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor!
Rob volunteered as a consultant to BHC's Board of Directors and then joined the board as a director in 2018 and served until January 2022. Rob also served on the Bikeway Committee and was a volunteer in the Volunteers-In-Parks program as a Bikeway Ambassador.
Carol helped create and led the BHC Photography Ambassadors volunteer program and curated a gallery exhibit at the Museum of Work & Culture in 2019. Her images live on in many marketing materials for both the Corridor and the Park!
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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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Calling All Scouts - Earn a Scout Ranger Certificate or Badge! |
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Click here to learn about the Boy Scout Ranger program. |
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Click here to learn about the Girl Scout Ranger program. |
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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.
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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
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