National Park Service Rangers Announce

Popular Thursday Night Walkabout Series

 

Region. The National Park Service Rangers of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor are once again offering a series of Thursday Night Walkabouts for the 2007 summer season. Each Thursday evening the rangers or one of their volunteer partners will offer a free program at a location in the Blackstone Valley that has significant natural and historical significance. Participants can explore the history or natural beauty of the site in detail with an expert from the National Heritage Corridor.

 

August 9 Millville Lock

Discover the Millville Lock with a National Park Service Volunteer. Hike along the old New York and New England rail trail to visit the best preserved lock along the Blackstone Canal. You will learn a little about the history of Millville, too, and the role of the canal and railroad there. Then continue to the Triad Bridge overlooking the Blackstone River where you will hear about the Grand Trunk Railroad – the rail line that sank with the Titanic. Most of the trail is flat, but please wear sturdy walking shoes.  Meet at the parking lot across from St. John’s Church, Hope St., Millville, MA. 

 

August 16 Valentine Whitman Jr. House, Lincoln

The 1694 Valentine Whitman Jr. House is the second oldest home in Lincoln, RI and the site of the first town meeting of Smithfield, RI. Join one of our National Park Service volunteers to explore this wonderful example of a colonial “stone ender” that has been preserved to give you a sense of what life was like here in the Blackstone Valley in the years following King Phillips War. The Whitman House is located at 1147 Great Road, Lincoln, RI.

 

Wednesday August 22 Harris Pond and Social Village, Woonsocket

Edward Harris built Harris Pond to provide power for his Privilege Mills. In 1955, Hurricane Diane caused the dam here to fail, devastating Social Village below. Explore these two sites with a Heritage Corridor volunteer to learn about their rich history and the rebuilding of Social Village after the flood. Meet at Menard Field on Privilege Street in Woonsocket, RI.

 

August 23 Scull Rock Lock and Blackstone Canal Tour, Uxbridge

Join a National Park Service Ranger to explore this little seen segment of the Blackstone Canal. Highlights of the tour include viewing the remains of the Scull Rock Lock and a “corkscrew” bridge. The trail is rough so please wear sturdy walking shoes. This tour begins from the lot on Rt. 122 in south Uxbridge.

 

August 30 Mendon

Mendon is the second oldest town in Worcester County, incorporated in 1667. Unlike most of the towns in the Blackstone River Valley, Mendon never became a mill village.  Tour Mendon with a National Park Service Ranger to get a sense of this 19th century farming community.

 

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The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor was designated by Congress in 1986 as the birthplace of America’s industrial revolution. The 24 communities along the 46-mile Blackstone River are located between Worcester, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. Congress voted to reauthorize the Corridor’s Commission for an additional five years on Friday, September 29, 2006.

 

For more information see www.nps.gov/blac/.