Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
Volume 2 Issue 2/ February 2014
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In This Issue
Video of the Month
News: Bike & Blues the Blackstone
News: Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Worcester
News: Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program Summit
Explore: Ranger talk series
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Thank you to our sponsors!
 
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Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

 

Volunteer

 

Bike Path

 
Share Your Photos & Stories about the Blackstone Valley!

Kid with camera

We want to feature your photos and personal stories
in a future issue of Corridor Currents! Have you taken a cool photo in the Blackstone Valley? Or, do you have a story to share related to the Valley? If so, we want to hear from you. 




 
Enjoy the Blackstone Valley on the go with our mobile Web app. 
 
And, it's free!
Go Blackstone
Click on the image above to get the free web app
Slater Mill
Slater Mill

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO
US SENATOR JACK REED
Funding for the Blackstone Heritage Corridor
 
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (Blackstone Heritage Corridor) is pleased to report that the federal omnibus appropriations bill that was approved by Congress in January 2014 provides federal funding for the Blackstone Heritage Corridor for next two years (2014 - 2015). 
 
As in the past, The Blackstone Heritage Corridor is required to match the federal money (dollar for dollar) to have a consistent federal budget appropriation that will enable us to plan for projects and programs throughout the Corridor and to offer opportunities for funding to our many partners. 
 
"I want to say thank you to our congressional delegation for their support," says Michael Cassidy, Interim Administrative Coordinator for Blackstone Heritage Corridor. "I especially want to recognize US Senator Jack Reed for his diligent work towards securing funding for Heritage Areas that was included in the budget legislation."
 
 
Video Camera
 

VIDEO OF THE MONTH
In recognition of Black History Month:

Places to Hide: 
Underground Railroad Activity
in the Blackstone Valley
black history month
Click on the image to watch the video
There are many myths about the Underground Railroad. Here in New England we will attempt to bring some fresh light to these myths. Each region of the country moved those formerly enslaved, now freedom seekers, to their final destination by very different methods. Join us as Along the Blackstone's Episode #46 helps uncover routes, methods and stories of the Underground Railroad in the Blackstone Valley. 
News
NEWS
bike and blues the blackstone
Join us for Bike and Blues the Blackstone - A "Fun-Raising" Festival to celebrate the Blackstone!

Departing at 2:30 pm from the Woonsocket Depot, One Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI and ending with an afternoon of live music and a Taste of Regional Breweries at the Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 4:00 - 8:00 pm.
 
 
 
NEWS
Plans Resurrected for Blackstone Valley Visitors Center in Worcester

There's an effort in the works to resurrect the longtime plan to build a proposed Blackstone Valley Visitors Center in or near Quinsigamond Village.
 
Besides government, partners in the renewal effort include the College of the Holy Cross and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
 
 
 
NEWS
You are invited to The Blackstone River Watershed-wide Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program Summit and Eco-Machine/Canal Restorer Project Exploration
 
water quality monitoring program summit map
  • Hear from Therese Beaudoin, Mass. DEP Watershed Coordinator, and Thomas Borden, Narragansett Bay Estuary Program Director, about protection efforts at the state and regional levels.
  • View the BRC 2013 Water Quality Report Card and an overview of the results of the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program for 2013, plus next steps. 
  • And, more!

Read more: Agenda (PDF)

 

NEWS

riverzedge arts afterhours

EXPLORE  
Stop by for the Ranger Talk at the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket on Sunday, February 23
  Museum of Work and Culture
The Museum of Work & Culture at 42 South Main Street will host the 4th talk in the series. Join Jennifer Pustz as she presents
Voices from the Back Stairs - Lives of Domestic Service.  
 
Begun in 1998, the program consists of a series of six lectures and presentations from January through March, sponsored by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in cooperation with the Rhode Island Historical Society. 

GET INVOLVED
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Become a Corridor Keeper Today!

The success of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor has always been due, in large part, to public support and active participation by the people and communities of the Blackstone Valley.
 
People like you!

For more than 25 years, the people of the valley have shared in rediscovering their roots, their heritage and their common identity. They have supported the Corridor by speaking or writing to their elected officials, by showing up at public events, and by participating in numerous projects and programs.


THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
  • Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
  • TACO
  • Rick Whitesell
  • Elizabeth & Ned Bacon

Click on the button below to learn about sponsorship opportunities for your organization.

 
BRVNHC
About the Blackstone Heritage Corridor 
Congress established the National Heritage Corridor in 1986 to restore and preserve the nationally significant heritage of the Blackstone River Valley, where the industrialization of America began. It has become a successful program of partnerships between federal, state and local government agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations pooling their resources and pursuing a common agenda of preservation and revitalization. 
 
Ongoing Corridor programs and projects include historic preservation, river cleanup, land conservation and stewardship, visitor centers, ranger walks, programs with schools, recreational programs and events, support for arts and cultural events, training for partners and volunteers and assistance to towns trying to preserve their heritage while also improving the local and regional economy.