Cyclists check out the Millville Lock during last week's Ride of Discovery along the Blackstone River Greenway. The ride was led by Bikeway Ambassador Kathy Parlante. See below for additional guided rides this season. |
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Corridor News - May 16, 2023 |
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Gravestone Conservation Workshop with Betty & Carlo |
Sunday, May 21
9 a.m. 4 p.m.
Betty and Carlo Mencucci will present this hands-on workshop for those wishing to learn the proper methods to clean, conserve and reset/repair gravestones. It will be held at the Pascoag Cemetery in Burrillville. Registration is required. Contact bmencucci@verizon.net.
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Talk-Tour-Stone Repair
Wednesday, May 17
6:00 p.m.
Come to the Riverside Cemetery (Harrisville Cemetery) in Harrisville (located opposite the Harrisville Fire Station on Callahan School Street) to hear the story of Bathsheba Sherman’s headstone. Bathsheba was blamed for haunting a house in Harrisville and a movie was made about it. All the publicity and lies have resulted in vandalism to her grave site. Learn about gravestone repairs and conservation work on this stone and a project to replace this headstone. We will also walk around the cemetery and discuss gravestone repairs. Programs presented by the Burrillville Historical Society. For more info, contact bmencucci@verizon.net.
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Plein Air Painting at Green Hill Park
Saturday, June 3
Learn more and RSVP
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Plein Air Painting at Hunt's Mills
Saturday, June 24
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Volunteers Needed to Pull Invasive Water Chestnuts! |
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The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is looking for volunteers to help pull water chestnut weeds in several water bodies this season. It is an invasive species, which spreads rapidly and is very difficult to control. To learn more about the water chestnut, watch this video: https://youtu.be/-kfzKm-TkEM.
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June 10 Blackstone River (Central Falls, RI ) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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June 13 & 14 Turner Reservoir (East Providence, RI) 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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June 17 Lake Quinsigamond (Shrewsbury, MA) 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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June 17 Turner Reservoir (East Providence, RI) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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June 20 Blackstone River (Central Falls, RI) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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June 24 (rain date June 25) Uxbridge, MA, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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June 27 & 28 (if needed/rain dates) 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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July 8 Lake Quinsigamond (Shrewsbury, MA) 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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Volunteer Opportunities!
There are many volunteering opportunities coming up over the next several months. Volunteers should check their Inboxes. If you'd like to get involved with our Volunteers-In-Parks program, reach out to Molly Cardoza, Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement, at mcardoza@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
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Thank you to VIPs Abigail Epplett and Patty McAlpine for helping staff the First Strike Festval at Old Slater Mill. Thanks also to Kathy Parlante (not pictured). |
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Thank you to volunteer Joe Johnson for leading the Riparian Invasives Ramble for Jane Week in Worcester earlier this month. |
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Thank you to the volunteers who helped with the Family Fun Fishing Day event. Pictured here is Abigail Epplett who helped record the fish that was caught. |
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A Sampling of Memorial Day Festivities
Auburn, MA
Monday, May 29
Chester P. Tuttle Post 279 Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m.
Blackstone, MA
Sunday, May 28
Memorial Day Parade at 1 p.m.
Celebration 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Burrillville, RI
Monday, May 29
Burrillville Memorial Day Observance, Freedom Park, Harrisville
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Leicester, MA
Monday, May 29
Cherry Valley Post 443 American Legion Family Parade
10 a.m.
Lincoln, RI
Monday, May 29
Parade at 11 a.m.
Food Trucks & Concerts at Chase Farm 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Check out the song created with Mark Cutler at Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park's First Strike Festival last weekend. Follow this link: https://fb.watch/kxXRyPgQJS/.
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News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
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Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark is open for the season on Thursdays through Sundays with free tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
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The Kelly and Ashton Mill Junior Ranger Booklet is a self-guided adventure around Blackstone River State Park. Aspiring Junior Rangers of all ages are encouraged to pick up a booklet and explore the history and natural beauty of this area. These Junior Ranger activities inspire creativity, reflection, imagination, and stewardship.
Where to get your book:
Junior Ranger books will be available at the Kelly House Museum of Transportation (1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI) during operating hours. The Museum is open seasonally from April to October.
Books are also available at Old Slater Mill (67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, RI) and Roger Williams National Memorial (282 North Main St., Providence, RI). If you are visiting in the off-season or would like to get a head start on your books, you can request copies be mailed to your home address by reaching out to Ranger Allison Horrocks at allison_horrocks@nps.gov.
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Roger Williams Chats
at Roger Williams National Memorial
282 N. Main St., Providence, RI
Join a ranger for a chat about Roger Williams’s legacy and ideas. Offered Thursday-Sunday through October 29, at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Programs last approximately one-half hour and are free.
Roger Williams was one of the greatest philosophers of the 1600s. His passionate plea for the separation of church and state still resonates in our public discourse. Both loved and hated by his contemporaries, his legacy remains unresolved. How much say does the government have in our personal choices? Who gets to decide?
Free parking in the lot on Canal Street. Signs will direct you toward the Hahn Memorial (historic well) where the programs will begin.
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Ranger Walkabouts on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
June 1st through August 31st
Find all the details on the NPS Calendar:
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Coming in July!
Join a national park ranger for a bike ride along the Blackstone River Bikeway on Wednesdays starting July 5 through September 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each week will have a different theme.
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Birding Ambassadors Are Leading a Raven Walk |
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Raven Walk at Stillwater Scenic Trail
Saturday, May 20
8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
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All are welcome to join in a community parade featuring drumming, dancing, crafts, music, and more. Rain or shine!
Sunday, May 21st | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Old Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI
Led by the Narragansett Indian Tribe and the Hassanamisco Band of Nipmuc, this community event will bring diverse partners together to learn about and show their support for the need to create fish passage over the lower four dams in Rhode Island and bring back migratory fish such as the herring.
- Screenprint a t-shirt as a take-home reminder of the Blackstone/Kittacuck. Bring your own t-shirt, or we'll have some provided.
- Color a paper fish and join the march to symbolically carry these paper herring over the lower two dams.
- Join the Narragansett Indian Tribe, Hassanamisco Band of Nipmuc, and other tribes to learn about the migratory fish's important history to tribal culture for millennia.
- Learn why getting fish around the dams in Pawtucket and Central Falls is beneficial for community well-being, tourism, recreation, the economy, & more.
--> Please remember to bring your reusable water bottle! Water filling available.
--> In the event of inclement weather, this event will be held inside the Visitor Center across the street (175 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860).
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Take a Hike With Our Trail Ambassadors |
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Save these dates to hike with Ernie:
Ernie also leads hikes at the Hunts Mills trail on the second Sunday of each month (March through November) at 1:30 p.m. during the East Providence Historical Society's Open House at 65 Hunts Mills Road, East Providence, RI.
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Join Us on a Ride of Discovery! |
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Join our Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bikeway Ambassadors on guided bike rides this spring to explore different sections of the Blackstone River Bikeway. Bring your own bike, helmet, and water. Rides depart at 6:30 p.m. and return by 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 24: Woonsocket to Lincoln, RI
- Wednesday, June 21: Pollinator Bike Ride - Lincoln, RI
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Night Sky Program at
River Bend Farm
287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA
Friday, June 30
8:00 p.m.
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Would you like to learn the constellations visible right now? Astronomers from Skyscrapers will be able to guide your way around the sky. Telescopes will be available for close-up looks of the moon and stars. Free event.
Photo by Jim Hendrickson.
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Historical Society & Museum Events |
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Sunday, June 4
Mendon Historical Society Hosts "In the Garden with Eleanor Roosevelt"
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Tickets: $22.00
Wednesday, June 14
Flag Day at Little Red Shop Museum
6 p.m.
12 Hopedale Street, Hopedale
Saturday, June 17
Grafton Historical Society presents "Antiques and Arts Fair"
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Rain or Shine
Grafton Common, Route 140, Grafton
Saturday, June 17
North Smithfield Heritage Dinner
Sunday, July 2
Daniels Farmstead hosts Fourth on the Farm
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, July 8
North Smithfield Heritage Day
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
83 Green Street, North Smithfield
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Monthly Heritage Walks With NSHA |
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The North Smithfield Heritage Association (NSHA) offers its next Heritage Hike on Saturday, June 10 featuring Waterford: Coblin Rock, Mammoth Mills Ruins, Blackstone Canal, Waterford School, St. Paul’s Church, Waterford RR Station, RR Fountain, Covered Bridge Site. Meet at Fire House Pizza parking lot, Great Road.
The NSHA offers the Heritage Walks as a means to promote the town’s amazing multi-faced heritage. Admission is free.
NSHA is also offering Nature Walks with the following schedule:
1st Saturday - High Rocks Gorge 3-mile Loop meets at Martha Road.
3rd Saturday - Booth Pond Preserve Trail 2.4-mile loop meets in Aldi Parking Lot.
4th Saturday - Fort Wildlife Refuge 3.3-mile loop on Providence Pike.
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A group of volunteers with an interest in canoeing and kayaking formed the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club in 2000 in conjunction with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor and Rhode Island Canoe & Kayak Association (RICKA). The Paddle Club meets weekly from May through August on Tuesday evenings at different sites within and just outside of the Valley.
Volunteers act as members of the land crew, paddle club guides, and sweep person on the weekly paddles. They provide an important link to the exploration of the natural resources within the Heritage Corridor.
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To participate in the Blackstone Paddler's events, a RI Canoe and Kayak Association membership fee of $15.00 is required, as is a $10.00 membership fee for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. These fees provide a family membership and are good for the entire season. If you are a current RICKA member, you may join for the additional $10.00 membership fee. If you are not yet a RICKA member, you may join and pay your dues for both RICKA and Blackstone Valley Paddle Club by going to the membership page for payment options. Please pay your dues in advance. Inflatable boats and PFD's are not allowed on Blackstone Valley Paddle Club Trips.
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Kayak & Canoe Rentals
Central Falls Landing
15 Madeira Ave., Central Falls, RI
Prices
Single kayak: $20 (1.5 hours) / $30 (3 hours)
Tandem kayak: $30 (1.5 hours) / $50 (3 hours)
Canoe: $30 (1.5 hours) / $50 (3 hours)
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Book a tour of the Blackstone River aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer riverboat.
NATURE & HERITAGE TOURS
Sundays at 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM & 4 PM
EVENING RIVER CRUISES
(unguided trip)
Saturdays at 4 PM, 5 PM, 6 PM & 7 PM
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Connecting with Canoes
Saturday, June 17; Saturday, July 15; Saturday, August 19; Saturday, September 16, and Saturday, October 21.
Arrive at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. launch. A fee of $30 per person includes canoe and PFD. RSVP by text or call to 401-644-3215.
Meet at BRWC's Environmental Education Center at 100 New River Road (below the bikeway parking area), Manville, RI.
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Get Your Events on Our Calendar! |
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Share your events with us by listing them on the Blackstone Heritage Corridor's events page.
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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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Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
With Our Interactive Map!
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What Should Be On the Blackstone Bucket List? |
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Share Your Favorite Things to See and Do in the Blackstone Valley |
Help us update our Blackstone Bucket List by sharing your favorite experiences in the Blackstone River Valley. Click to take our survey! Your feedback is most appreciated!
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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. |
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Stay Connected With Us On Social Media! |
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670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242
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