If going fishing is still on your summer bucket list, you're in luck! Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park is hosting Take Me Fishing Day on Sunday, August 27, at Blackstone River State Park in Lincoln, RI, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bait, poles, and instruction are provided. Earn a Junior Angler Badge!
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Corridor News - August 22, 2023 |
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Plan a Delicious Autumm With Our Farm Guide |
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Special Recognition for the Paddle Club! |
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Harrisville Fire Chief Michael Gingell (pictured in center) presented members of the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club with a special citation recognizing their rescue efforts of a missing and injured resident along the Nipmuc River during one of their paddles earlier this summer.
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The Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA) presented Blackstone Valley Paddle Club members who were involved in the search and rescue with special medals for Outstanding Volunteer Service.
Those members include (pictured above left to right) Steve Riendeau, Julie Riendeau, Dave Biernacki, Steve Norris, Manny Terezakis, Cheryl Thompson, Tom Farley, Cathy Cochran, Phil Johansen, Rick Everett, Orla Christiansen.
Not pictured: Patrick Reddy, Joan Reddy, and Christine Satterwhite.
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Thank you, Douglas Serve! |
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Volunteers at Slater Mill |
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Volunteers at Douglas Cemetery |
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Volunteers at Waters Farm |
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This month we hosted volunteers from Douglas SERVE. These teen volunteers came from Michigan, New York, Ontario, and within the Blackstone Valley to contribute a week of volunteer service in the Blackstone Valley. They helped Waters Farm prepare for a tractor show by picking up brush and organizing signs. Volunteers started the important work of conservation of historic headstones at Douglas Center Cemetery. They cleaned over 250 headstones. This is a project that the Douglas Cemetery Commission hopes will inspire other groups to become involved and help out. SERVE volunteers painted picnic tables and weeded seven garden beds at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark in Pawtucket. These volunteers completed 1,596 hours of volunteer work within the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor during this week! That is a value of $50,752 to the Volunteers-In-Parks program. We are inspired by the difference these teens made and are excited to welcome them back to the Valley next summer! |
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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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Accessible Cycling Returns to the Bikeway/Greenway |
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Below are a couple of completed paintings from our Plein Air events this summer. If you have a location in mind where you'd like to see us host a Plein Air session, reach out to Molly at mcardoza@blackstoneheritageorridor.org.
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Looff Carousel by George Hancin |
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1893 Pump House by Visweswar Kunchay
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News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
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River Bend East Songwriters Festival: A Celebration of Music & Labor
September 1 & 2
The 2023 River Bend East Songwriters Festival returns Friday, September 1st, through Saturday, September 2nd, outside at Slater Mill (67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI) along the banks of the beautiful Blackstone River!
This year's festival will start with a Friday evening multi-media event and continue on Saturday afternoon, September 2nd, with the traditional showcase of the region's best singer-songwriters! The award-winning Americana band High Planes will headline the Friday night event (starts at 6:30 PM). This will be part of a multi-media performance in collaboration with David Lawlor of Run of the Mill.
Check back early and often for River Bend East 2023 line-up announcements and more information. Follow this link for more info and updates: https://fb.me/e/RzlDcQIp.
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In addition to River Bend East, the National Park Service will offer free guided tours of Slater Mill, Thursday-Sunday at 10:30 AM., 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM, all free of charge. To kick off the weekend, a ranger walkabout will take place at the site on Thursday, August 31st, at 6:30 PM. In honor of Rhode Island’s rich labor history, rangers will lead specialty tours on Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3, 2023. The guided tours offered Thursday-Sunday do not require any registration and will run at the normally scheduled times. Free activities and old-time games will also be set up throughout the weekend. |
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Science Saturday at Roger Williams National Memorial |
Are you looking for some summer fun in downtown Providence? Join us at the Roger Williams National Memorial, located at 282 North Main Street, for an exciting event on Saturday, September 9th, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. You'll get to learn all about birds, trees, physics, and plants from some amazing organizations like the National Park Service, Providence Parks Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and the Rhode Island Black Storytellers. And don't forget to get your face painted with your favorite animal and celebrate the wildlife! These events are designed mainly for young people, but everyone is welcome to join in on the fun - and best of all, it's free! See you there!
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Bike with a Park Ranger
Join a national park ranger for a bike ride along the Blackstone River Bikeway on Wednesdays through September 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each week will have a different theme.
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Ranger Walkabouts on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Through August 31st
Find all the details on the NPS Calendar:
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Tour Old Slater Mill
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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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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Night Sky Program at
River Bend Farm
287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA
Friday, August 25
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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Learn about travel and transportation in the early 19th century with the Grafton Historical Society on Saturday, August 26. Find details here.
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Sundays through October 1
Daniels Farmstead hosts Farmers Markets
Saturday, August 26
Grafton Historical Society hosts "Travel and Transportation in Early 19th Century New England”
Sunday, August 27
Guided Tours of the Hearthside House & Campus Sites
Saturday, September 2
Heritage Alliance of Pawtucket Hosts "Darlington Houses of Worship Trolley Tour
Monday, September 4
Museum of Work & Culture Labor Day Open House
Tuesday, September 5
Sutton Historical Society hosts "Bathsheba Spooner: A Revolutionary Murder Conspiracy"
Sundays, September 10, 17, 24
Glocester Heritage Society Hosts Reuben Mason House Tours
Saturday, September 30
Sutton Historical Society hosts "200th Anniversary General Rufus Putnam Building"
Saturday, September 30
Upton Heritage Day
Saturday, September 30
BeWitched, BeDazzled Magical Fall Festival
Find all the details on these events and more on our events page.
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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, 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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Pirates on the Blackstone!
Are you ready to become a pirate for some swashbuckling fun? Excitement, surprises, shanties, and a super-fun dance party are all in store for you aboard The Explorer.
Trips run on Saturday nights from Sept. 9th – Oct. 28th, 2023.
September trips depart at 6:30 & 7:30 PM
October trips depart at 6 & 7 PM
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September 28 to October 31
Witness a spectacular display of craftsmanship as thousands of intricately carved jack-o’lanterns illuminate the night. From endearing faces to whimsical creatures, each pumpkin tells a unique story that will ignite your imagination.
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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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Save the date of Friday, October 6, for a World Smile Day event at Worcester's Elm Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Elm Park is home to Art in the Park, with 28 sculptures on display through World Smile Day.
Save the dates of Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15 for Waters Farm Days. Details coming soon!
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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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Share the Beauty of the Valley |
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Photo of the Week
Thank you to JUDE GRIFFIN for sharing her photo of a hummingbird moth feeding on Joe Pye Weed in her Sutton garden!
Share your photos from around the Blackstone River Valley in our Photo of the Week contest. We look forward to highlighting them on social media, in our newsletters, and promotional material!
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Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
With Our Interactive Map!
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If you're looking to spread the word with your events, submit them today!
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The Blackstone Bucket List is Updated! |
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Thanks to those who took the survey and added suggestions!
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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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