blackstone river valley national park service u.s ... · welcome to the first newsletter for your...
TRANSCRIPT
Dear Friends –
Welcome to the first newsletter for your new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. As of December 19, 2014, Blackstone became the 402nd unit of the National Park Service. What an accomplishment! Thank you to everyone who made this park a reality. The National Park Service is honored to be able to tell the story of “the Birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution,” here, in the Blackstone Valley.
While the park has been legislatively established, there is still some work to do. First and foremost, the National Park Service (NPS) is working on drawing the park boundary. We are meeting with state government agencies, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, stakeholders, community members and volunteers to help us define this boundary. We would love your input and hope to hear from you.
Though we don’t yet have an official boundary, NPS Rangers are out in the Valley this summer. We have rangers supporting summer camps, giving Walkabouts, attending events, and meeting visitors at important sites. We are working on publishing outreach materials and Jr. Ranger books. National Park Passport stamps will be coming soon!
On behalf of all of us that have the honor to work for the NPS, we appreciate your support in our mission to create a world-class National Park in the Blackstone River Valley. I’m excited to be on this journey with you.
Sincerely,Meghan KishMeghan KishSuperintendentBlackstone River ValleyNational Historical Park
Blackstone River ValleyNational Historical Park
National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
Meet the Staff
Meghan Kish is the Superintendent for Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and Roger Williams National Memorial. Meghan is meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the creation of a park boundary, where to commit staff expertise and time, and how to promote the existence and mission of the new park. She is excited and honored to be part of the Blackstone team. Meghan has an office at the Depot in Woonsocket as well as in New Bedford, MA. She can be reached by email at [email protected].
Cara Pearson iis a Visual Information Specialist for Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and Roger Williams National Memorial. Cara is the coordinator for the NPS Centennial initiative across the three parks, is working with staff to design outreach materials for the new park, and is the lead on the new park brochure as well as this newsletter. Cara spends most of her time at her office at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and can be reached by email at [email protected].
Jennifer Smith serves as the Management Assistant for both Roger Williams National Memorial and Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. She is responsible for supervision, general operations, cooperative agreements, communications, and community planning initiatives. Jennifer splits her time between an office in Providence and the Depot in Woonsocket. She can be reached by email at [email protected].
Kevin Klyberg is an Interpretive Park Ranger who has been with the National Park Service for 18 years, all at Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Kevin has worked extensively with valley partners on interpretive training, development of curriculum-based education programs and front-line delivery of interpretive programs as well as serving as the park’s web and social media coordinator. Kevin’s office is at the Depot in Woonsocket and he can be reached by email at [email protected].
Chuck Arning is an Interpretive Park Ranger/AV Specialist and has worked for the National Park Service in the Blackstone River Valley for 22 years. Chuck has been the lead on the very successful Along the Blackstone cable television series and will continue to support the operations of the new park using his skills in writing, videography, interpretation and building partnerships. Chuck’s office is at the Depot in Woonsocket, and he can be reached by email at [email protected].
Michelle Spink is the Administrative Officer for Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park as well as New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and Roger Williams National Memorial. Michelle describes her role as taking care of the business side of the house. She focuses her work on budget, human resources, procurement, contracting, and IT. Michelle’s primary office is in New Bedford but, like all of the shared staff of the park, she also spends time at our Woonsocket office. Michelle can be reached by email at [email protected].
1
A Brand New Park
Proposed Map of Sites
What is in the Park Boundary?We are currently working on determining the boundary. What we can tell you is that the legislation passed on December 19, 2014 states that:
SEC. 3031. BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. (a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to establish the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park—
(1) to help preserve, protect, and interpret the nationally significant resources that exemplify the industrial heritage of the Blackstone River Valley for the benefit and inspiration of future generations;
(2) to support the preservation, protection, and interpretation of the urban, rural, and agricultural landscape features (including the Blackstone River and Canal) of the region that provide an overarching context for the industrial heritage of the Blackstone River Valley;
(3) to educate the public about— (A) the nationally significant sites and districts that convey the industrial history of the Blackstone River
Valley; and (B) the significance of the Blackstone River Valley to the past and present of the United States; and
(4) to support and enhance the network of partners in the protection, improvement, management, and operation of related resources and facilities throughout the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
(1) NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR.—The term ‘‘National Heritage Corridor’’ means the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
(2) PARK.—The term ‘‘Park’’ means the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park established by subsection (c)(1).
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the Interior.(4) STATES.—The term ‘‘States’’ means—
(A) the State of Massachusetts; and(B) the State of Rhode Island.
(c) BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.—(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the States a unit of the National Park System, to be known as the
‘‘Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park’’. (2) HISTORIC SITES AND DISTRICTS.—The Park shall include—
(A) Blackstone River State Park; and(B) the following resources, as described in Management Option 3 of the study entitled ‘‘Blackstone River
Valley Special Resource Study—Study Report 2011’’:
Click image to download or visit: go.nps.gov/BLRVlegislation
Park Legislation
• Blackstone River State Park; and
• the following resources, as described in Management Option 3 of the study
entitled ‘‘Blackstone River Valley Special Resource Study—Study Report 2011’’:
• Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark District
• Slatersville Historic District
• Ashton Historic District
• Whitinsville Historic District
• Hopedale Village Historic District
• Blackstone River and the tributaries of Blackstone River
• Blackstone Canal
122
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122A
146A
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114A
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1A
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122140
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101101
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135
KillinglyPond
KeechPond
ScituateReservoir
WatermanReservoir
StillwaterReservoir
WoonsocketReservoir
No. 3
LakePearl
SlackReservoir
Georgiaville Pond
Diamond HillReservoir
Alexander Lake
West Thompson Lake
PonagansetReservoir
Smith and SaylesReservoir
Bowdish ReservoirHawkins
Pond
SlatersvilleReservoirs
SpringLake
Sucker Pond
WilsonReservoir
WhitinReservoir
WhitinsPond
LackeyPond
Singletary Pond
Cedar MeadowPond
BurncoatPond
IndianLake
CoesReservoir
LakeQuinsigamond
Nipmuck Pond
ManchaugPond
SudburyReservoir
WhitehallReservoir
LakeCochituate
LakeChaubunagungamaug
PascoagReservoir
Bran
ch
R
iver
Blackstone
River
Blackstone
River
Blackstone River
Quinsigam
ond River
ProvidenceRiver
Woonasquatucket
River
Seekon
k River
MoshassuckRiver
Wallu
m Lake
Mill
River
West
River
Peters
Ri
ver
Mumford R
iver
Charles River
Great Cedar Swamp
NORTH SMITHFIELD
BURRILLVILLE
UXBRIDGEDOUGLAS
SUTTON
LEICESTER
GRAFTON
MILLBURY
NORTHBRIDGE
MENDON
UPTON
GLOCESTERSMITHFIELD
CUMBERLAND
BLACKSTONE
HOPEDALE
MILLVILLE
LINCOLN
AUBURN
CONNECTICUT
MASSACHUSETTS
RHODE ISLAND
MASSACHUSETTSCONNECTICUT
MASSACHUSETTS
RHODE ISLAND RI
MA
SS
CO
NN
EC
TIC
UT
WebsterDudley
Oxford West Sutton
Waters Farm
Manchaug
Whitin Machine Works
North Uxbridge
Capron Park
Crown & Eagle MillRogerson’s Village
Draper Mill
The Little Red Shop
IndianBurying Ground
HassanamiscoReservation
Willard Houseand Clock Museum
Armory Village
Old LeicesterAirfield
Tufts UniversitySchool of Veterinary Medicine
College of theHoly Cross
QuinsigamondVillage
Clark University
Assumption College
Mass. College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Regatta PointState Park
UnionStation Quinsigamond
State ParkBecker College(Leicester Campus)
Becker CollegeWorcester
RegionalAirport
American Antiquarian Society
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
WorcesterState College
Worcester Art Museum
Worcester Historical Museum
Broad Meadow BrookWildlife Sanctuary
City Hall
UMassMedical Center
EcoTariumMechanics Hall
Grafton Common
Old Millbury Common
BlanchardQuarry
Goat Hill Lock
Stanley Woolen Mill
Cornet John Farnum House
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park
West HillDam
LookoutRock
Plummer’s Landing
Upton State Forest
Wheelockville
White City
Hopkinton
Mendon
UptonFarnumsville
Rockdale
Bramanville
Leicester
CherryValley
Paxton
RochdaleAuburn
Stoneville
Charlton
Sutton
WestMillbury
Millbury
North Grafton
Fisherville
WilkinsonvilleSaundersville
RiverdaleNorthbridgeCenter
West Upton
Bellingham
Medway
Millis
Medfield
Walpole
Westwood
SherbornDover
Southborough
Westborough
Northborough
Ashland
Holliston
Wrentham
Mansfield
Plainville
Foxboro
Uxbridge
Linwood
RivuletVillage
Plummer Corner
Manchaug Mills
Sutton State Forest
Sutton State Forest
Purgatory ChasmState Park
E.N. Jenckes Store Museum
Douglas
EastDouglas
Chepachet
Greenville
Harmony Georgiaville
PROVIDENCE
FRAMINGHAMWORCESTER
NEWTON
PAWTUCKET
CENTRAL FALLS
WOONSOCKET
NORTHATTLEBORO
ATTLEBORO
FRANKLIN
NATICK
WELLESLEY
NEEDHAM
SHREWSBURY
NORWOOD
MILFORD
EAST PROVIDENCE
India Point Park
R.I. Historical Society Library
Brown University
Rhode Island School of Design John Hunt House
North BurialGroundProvidence
CollegeRhode IslandCollege
J&P Coats Mill Complex
PawtucketTown Landing
Lincoln Woods State Park
Kelly House
Diamond Hill State Park
Great RoadHistoric District
AlbionBridges
Friends Meeting House
Friends Meeting House
Millville Lock
Richardson Farm
Harris Hall
Woonsocket Falls
Cold SpringPark
BlackstoneGorge
Bi-StatePark
World War IIState Park
Blackstone HeritageCorridor Office
Ballou Cemeteryand Meeting HouseSite
MammothMill Ruins
Triad Bridge
QuakerMeeting
House
Daniels Farm
Chestnut HillMeetingHouse
North Gate Toll House
Lime Rock Preserve
Round TopFishing Area
Bridgeton Car Barn
Phillips Farm
Acotes Hill
Job Armstrong StoreBrown and Hopkins Country Store
ScotstunTown Forest
The Assembly
Centennial Park
Elm Park
White Mill Park
Casimir PulaskiMemorial State Park
Quarry
Saylesville
Valley Falls
Lonsdale
Berkeley
Arnold Mills
Millville
Quinnville
Manville
UnionVillage
Forestdale
Blackstone
East Blackstone
Ironstone
Albion
Diamond Hill
CumberlandHill
Primrose
Lime Rock
Jenks Park and Cogswell Tower
Pierce Park and Riverwalk
William Blackstone Memorial ParkBlackstone River Theatre
Quissett Hill Wildlife Management Area
Fort Wildlife Refuge
Valley Falls Heritage Park
Valley Falls Marsh
CentralFalls
Landing
Ann & Hope Mill
The Monastery
Roger Williams National Memorial
Slater Park
To Cape Cod National Seashore
Blackstone Park
R.R. Station
Waterplace Park
John Brown House
To SpringfieldArmory NationalHistoric Site
To Lowell NationalHistorical Park
To Cape CodNationalSeashore
To Boston
Stillwater
BryantCollege
Smith-ApplebyHouse
PowderMill LedgesWildlife Refuge
Spragueville
WestGreenville
WestGlocester
Mapleville
Nasonville
OaklandPascoag
Bridgeton
Harrisville
P&
W R
ailr
oad
P&
W R
ailr
oad
P&W Railroad
P&W
Railroad
So
uthe
rn
New
E
ngland
T
runklin
e Trail
(proposed)
Southern New
England Trunkline Trail
(proposed)
No/So Main St
Great Road
DOUGLAS
STATE
FOREST
BUCK HILL
MANAGEMENT
AREA
UPTON
STATE
FOREST
GEORGE
WASHINGTON
MANAGEMENT
AREA
MOOSE HILLWILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT AREA
BLACK HUTMANAGEMENT
AREA
DURFEE HILLMANAGEMENT AREA
Central
Tu
rnpike
West
Main
Street
Massach
usetts
Tu
rnpike
Massachusetts Turnpike
Visitor Center
Whitinsville
Hopedale
Slatersville
Blackstone River State Park
Ashton
Slater Mill
2
122
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290
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14020
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27
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126
495
495
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20
12
12
12
12
146
122A
122A
146A
146A
114A
140
109
85
126
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16
16
109
140
140
1401A
1A
95
121
495
126
146
122140
98
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16
16
395
395
197
44
44
44
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102
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7
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0 1
0 1
5 Miles
5 Kilometers
North
Blackstone RiverBikeway
Blackstone River, Blackstone Canal and the Blackstone River Bikeway, all elements in the new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Information
Historical resources included in the new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park:Blackstone River State ParkOld Slater MillSlatersville Historic DistrictAshton Historic DistrictWhitinsville Historic DistrictHopedale Village Historic Distric
Lock
Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Centers:Pawtucket Visitor CenterKelly House/Blackstone River State ParkMuseum of Work and CultureRiver Bend Farm State ParkBlackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center at Worcester
Directions
EastBay
Bikepath
JOHN H. CHAFEE
BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY
NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR
THE LAST GREEN VALLEY
NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR
KillinglyPond
KeechPond
ScituateReservoir
WatermanReservoir
StillwaterReservoir
WoonsocketReservoir
No. 3
LakePearl
SlackReservoir
Georgiaville Pond
Diamond HillReservoir
Alexander Lake
West Thompson Lake
PonagansetReservoir
Smith and SaylesReservoir
Bowdish ReservoirHawkins
Pond
SlatersvilleReservoirs
SpringLake
Sucker Pond
WilsonReservoir
WhitinReservoir
WhitinsPond
LackeyPond
Singletary Pond
Cedar MeadowPond
BurncoatPond
IndianLake
CoesReservoir
LakeQuinsigamond
Nipmuck Pond
ManchaugPond
SudburyReservoir
WhitehallReservoir
LakeCochituate
LakeChaubunagungamaug
PascoagReservoir
Branch
Riv
er
Blackstone
River
Blackstone
River
Blackstone
River
Quinsigam
ond
River
ProvidenceRiver
Woonasquatucket
River
SeekonkRiver
MoshassuckRiver
Wallum
Lake
Mill
River
West
River
Peters
Rive
r
Mumford R
iver
CharlesRiver
Great Cedar Swamp
NORTH SMITHFIELD
BURRILLVILLE
UXBRIDGEDOUGLAS
SUTTON
LEICESTER
GRAFTON
MILLBURY
NORTHBRIDGE
MENDON
UPTON
GLOCESTERSMITHFIELD
CUMBERLAND
BLACKSTONE
HOPEDALE
MILLVILLE
LINCOLN
AUBURN
CONNECTICUT
MASSACHUSETTS
RHODE ISLAND
MASSACHUSETTSCONNECTICUT
MASSACHUSETTS
RHODE ISLAND RI
MA
SS
CO
NN
ECTIC
UT
WebsterDudley
Oxford West Sutton
Waters Farm
Manchaug
Whitinsville
Whitin Machine Works
North Uxbridge
Capron Park
Crown & Eagle MillRogerson’s Village
Draper Mill
The Little Red Shop
IndianBurying Ground
HassanamiscoReservation
Willard Houseand Clock Museum
Armory Village
Old LeicesterAirfield
Tufts UniversitySchool of Veterinary Medicine
College of theHoly Cross
QuinsigamondVillage
Clark University
Assumption College
Mass. College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Regatta PointState Park
UnionStation Quinsigamond
State ParkBecker College(Leicester Campus)
Becker CollegeWorcester
RegionalAirport
American Antiquarian Society
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
WorcesterState College
Worcester Art Museum
Worcester Historical Museum
Broad Meadow BrookWildlife Sanctuary
City Hall
UMassMedical Center
EcoTariumMechanics Hall
Grafton Common
Old Millbury Common
BlanchardQuarry
Goat Hill Lock
Stanley Woolen Mill
Cornet John Farnum House
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park
West HillDam
LookoutRock
Plummer’s Landing
Upton State Forest
Wheelockville
White City
Hopkinton
Mendon
UptonFarnumsville
Rockdale
Bramanville
Leicester
CherryValley
Paxton
RochdaleAuburn
Stoneville
Charlton
Sutton
WestMillbury
Millbury
North Grafton
Fisherville
WilkinsonvilleSaundersville
RiverdaleNorthbridgeCenter
West Upton
Bellingham
Medway
Millis
Hopedale
Medfield
Walpole
Westwood
SherbornDover
Southborough
Westborough
Northborough
Ashland
Holliston
Wrentham
Mansfield
Plainville
Foxboro
Uxbridge
Linwood
RivuletVillage
Plummer Corner
Manchaug Mills
Sutton State Forest
Sutton State Forest
Purgatory ChasmState Park
E.N. Jenckes Store Museum
Douglas
EastDouglas
Chepachet
Greenville
Harmony Georgiaville
PROVIDENCE
FRAMINGHAMWORCESTER
NEWTON
PAWTUCKET
CENTRAL FALLS
WOONSOCKET
NORTHATTLEBORO
ATTLEBORO
FRANKLIN
NATICK
WELLESLEY
NEEDHAM
SHREWSBURY
NORWOOD
MILFORD
EAST PROVIDENCE
India Point Park
R.I. Historical Society Library
Brown University
Rhode Island School of Design John Hunt House
North BurialGroundProvidence
CollegeRhode IslandCollege
J&P Coats Mill Complex
PawtucketTown Landing
Lincoln Woods State Park
Blackstone River State Park
Kelly House
Diamond Hill State Park
Great RoadHistoric District
AlbionBridges
Friends Meeting House
Friends Meeting House
Millville Lock
Richardson Farm
Harris Hall
Woonsocket Falls
Cold SpringPark
BlackstoneGorge
Bi-StatePark
World War IIState Park
Blackstone HeritageCorridor Office
Ballou Cemeteryand Meeting HouseSite
MammothMill Ruins
Triad Bridge
QuakerMeeting
House
Daniels Farm
Chestnut HillMeetingHouse
North Gate Toll House
Lime Rock Preserve
Round TopFishing Area
Bridgeton Car Barn
Phillips Farm
Acotes Hill
Job Armstrong StoreBrown and Hopkins Country Store
ScotstunTown Forest
The Assembly
Centennial Park
Elm Park
White Mill Park
Casimir PulaskiMemorial State Park
Quarry
Saylesville
Valley Falls
Lonsdale
Berkeley
Ashton
Arnold Mills
Millville
Quinnville
Manville
UnionVillage
Forestdale
Blackstone
East Blackstone
Slatersville
Ironstone
Albion
Diamond Hill
CumberlandHill
Primrose
Lime Rock
Jenks Park and Cogswell Tower
Pierce Park and Riverwalk
William Blackstone Memorial ParkBlackstone River Theatre
Quissett Hill Wildlife Management Area
Fort Wildlife Refuge
Valley Falls Heritage Park
Valley Falls Marsh
CentralFalls
Landing
Ann & Hope Mill
The Monastery
Roger Williams National Memorial
Slater MillSlater Park
To Cape Cod National Seashore
Blackstone Park
R.R. Station
Waterplace Park
John Brown House
To SpringfieldArmory NationalHistoric Site
To Lowell NationalHistorical Park
To Cape CodNationalSeashore
To Boston
Stillwater
BryantCollege
Smith-ApplebyHouse
PowderMill LedgesWildlife Refuge
Spragueville
WestGreenville
WestGlocester
Mapleville
Nasonville
OaklandPascoag
Bridgeton
Harrisville
P&W
Railr
oad
P&W
Railr
oad
P&WRailroad
P&W
Railroad
Sout
hern
New
England
Trunklin
eTrail
(proposed)
SouthernNew
EnglandTrunkline Trail
(proposed)
No/So Main St
Great
Road
DOUGLAS
STATE
FOREST
BUCK HILL
MANAGEMENT
AREA
UPTON
STATE
FOREST
GEORGE
WASHINGTON
MANAGEMENT
AREA
MOOSE HILLWILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT AREA
BLACK HUTMANAGEMENT
AREA
DURFEE HILLMANAGEMENT AREA
Central
Turnpike
West
Main
Street
Massach
usetts
Turnpike
Massachusetts
Turnpike
To River Bend Farm inUxbridge: Take Mass. 146 to exit for Mass. 16.Follow Mass. 16 east toMass. 122. Take Mass. 122 north and turn right onto Hartford Avenue. Turn right onto Oak Street.The farm is on the left.
To Museum of Work andCulture in Woonsocket: Take R.I. 146 to exit for R.I. 104. Follow R.I. 104 north for two miles. Museum is on right at 42 South Main Street.
To Blackstone River StatePark Visitor Center: Take I-295 north. Visitor center is located on I-295 between exits 9 and 10 in Lincoln, R.I.
To Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Paw-tucket: From I-95 northtake exit 28. Turn left onto School Street. At first light, go straight through intersection and down the hill. At next light, turn right onto Roosevelt Avenue. Visitor center parking lot is the first left. From I-95 southtake exit 29. Bear right onto Fountain Street, thenright onto Exchange Street. At light take left onto Roosevelt Avenue. Visitorcenter is on the right at the end of the block.
Visitor Center
What's Happening in the New Park?
National Park Service (NPS) staff is visiting sites and meeting with a variety of partners, including Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Old Slater Mill Association, and the leadership from the mill villages named in the park legislation. These meetings are focusing on what the new park’s boundary will look like. Many thanks to all the partners for taking the
Planning the New Park with our Community Partners
time to sit down and start the planning process!
To help make this process go smoother, and to lend expertise to our mill village partners, the park has brought on an intern from the University of Pennsylvania’s graduate programs in city and regional planning and historic preservation. Jessica Neubelt is currently researching historic districts and historic commissions in the mill villages
3
and will, with NPS staff, develop preservation recommendations to meet the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation.
Look for stakeholder meetings in the fall, both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, to discuss this the planning process and to answer any questions the public has about the new park. Meeting dates and locations will be announced soon.
Our first summer as a National Historical Park and Rangers are already offering great programs to introduce the public to park sites! Each Thursday evening this summer, a Park Ranger explores a different perspective of America’s journey towards industrialization.Walkabouts kick off at 6:30pm on Thursdays and are a great
Blackstone Summer 2015 Ranger Walkabouts
way for people to find the “hidden gems” of the valley. Since 1997, NPS Rangers have been conducting free public programs throughout the Blackstone Valley. These stories cover the mill villages of the valley, the Underground Railroad, the Canal, ice cream socials, and even the Bikeway. There is something for everyone! Come discover how
the story of the Blackstone Valley is America’s story. Check our website for details: nps.gov/blac.
Summer Camp FunWhat’s summer without camp? The National Park Service is pleased to introduce an exciting partnership with our wonderful environmental partners, Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. With matching funds from
Mass Audubon and National Park Service, together we were able to create a rich historical and environmental field trip experience at Blackstone River State Park- including a trip on the 40 passenger Blackstone Explorer. Thanks to all our partners for making this pilot project a success!
Coming Soon!
Bringing schools to parks can be challenging - due in no small part to the cost of transportation. However, thanks to the National Park Foundation and the generosity of Disney, transportation is no longer a barrier in getting our youngest visitors out into the valley. Roll those buses! A good field trip experience is built on strong relationships between the park and the schools. Fortunately, while the park is new, the historic landscape that tells the story of America’s journey towards industrialization is not and NPS Rangers have worked closely
“Ticket-to-Ride” Transportation Grant
with educators to connect the “landscape of industry” with their curriculum.
The Innovation & Technology Academy at Doherty High School in Worcester, MA is a great example of the park working with educators to develop field trips that meet curriculum guidelines. Field Trips to the Slater Mill Historic Site, the Blackstone Canal, the Captain Wilbur Kelly Transportation Museum and historic Slatersville help bring the academics to life for these young minds.
The Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park is excited to be one of the first recipients of the the National Park Service’s Centennial Challenge program. These funds were matched by the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. Together, the partners are creating new outreach, educational, and interpretive
National Park Service Centennial Challenge Award
materials for the new National Historical Park.
The purpose of this project is simple; now that the Blackstone National Historical Park exists, we need to let people know about it! This funding will allow us to create new materials and a small display to talk about the new
park and our relationship with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor. It will also allow us to produce videos to let folks from around the world get a peek at the new park. Finally, we are working together to create a new Junior Ranger program that will help introduce the wonders of the Blackstone River Valley to our younger visitors and their families both in person and virtually.
The Centennial Challenge program is a $26 million initiative that will help over 100 parks prepare for visitors during the National Park Service’s Centennial in 2016.
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While the Blackstone River Valley NHP is brand new, the National Park Service is turning 100 years old in 2016. The NPS Centennial celebration has already begun and will continue through the end of next year. The Centennial is both a celebration of our work for the past 100 years and a start of a second century of stewardship of
National Park Service Centennial
America's national parks. The NPS staff will continue to engage communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs. Visit findyourpark.com to learn about all of the different ways that you can participate in the Centennial celebration. Look for great Centennial programs coming your way soon!
A Model in Partnership
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Transitions are always a little confusing, so it is understandable if the relationship between the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor appears to be a bit muddled. In addition to having similar names, the Heritage Corridor was affiliated with the National Park Service for 26 years and managed by had a Federal Commission.
Today, the Heritage Corridor is managed by Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc., a 501-(C)(3), nonprofit that works in partnership with state, municipal, and federal agencies, as well as local businesses, nonprofits,
New National Park Cements Ties with Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc.
educational institutions, and residents to preserve and promote the Valley's historic, cultural, natural and recreational resources for current and future generations. Recently, Congress expanded the Corridor boundaries to include the Town of Auburn in Massachusetts and several neighborhoods in Providence, Rhode Island including the Jewelry District, Downtown Providence, and the Woonasquatucket River Corridor.
The new unit in the National Park System, the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, actually fits within the Heritage Corridor boundaries. Park staff will continue
working with Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. to define this new and exciting relationship as we build on the past successes and investments of the National Heritage Corridor and embark upon on telling the story of industrialization in the Blackstone River Valley.
Look What’s Coming....
One of the most popular activities for visitors to National Park Service sites is the “Passport to your National Parks” program. You can collect a passport stamp from every National Park that you visit. Passport stamps will soon be available for Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. Initially, these stamps will be available at Slater
National Park Passport Stamps
Mill, Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Pawtucket, the Kelly House in Blackstone River State Park Visitor Center in Lincoln and at park headquarters in Woonsocket, RI. We will add additional stamps as the park’s official boundaries are established. The stamps will state which site you visited - see if you can collect them all!
Contact Us
One Depot SquareWoonsocket, RI 02895401-762-0250
nps.gov/BLRVFacebook.com/pages/Blackstone-River-Valley-National-Historical-Park
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Meghan [email protected]
Volunteer information contact:Kevin KlybergPark [email protected]