• The Slater Mill (yellow) and Wilkinson Mill (stone), along the Blacktone River in Pawtucket RI

    Blackstone River Valley

    National Heritage Corridor MA,RI

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  • BLACKSTONE RIVER SAFETY ALERT

    DUE TO HIGH AND FAST WATER CONDITIONS ON THE BLACKSTONE RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND NOT GOING OUT IN CANOES OR KAYAKS OR OTHER SMALL VESSELS ON THE RIVER UNTIL WATER LEVELS AND FLOW HAVE RETURNED TO NORMAL. PLEASE BE SAFE!

Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution

The Blackstone River runs from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI. Its waters powered the Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI, America's first successful cotton spinning mill. This creative spark began the nation's transformation from Farm to Factory. Today, the Blackstone River Valley is a special type of National Park - a living landscape containing thousands of natural and historic treasures.

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Features

  • Rangers out and about

    2013 Walkabout Series

    Starting May 30, the Heritage Corridor is offering free Walkabout tours on Thursday nights at sites around the Valley. Click below for information.

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  • Exploring the insects of the Blackstone River

    Teacher-Ranger-Teacher

    The Corridor has a Teacher-Ranger-Teacher position open. A local teacher will be able to work as a ranger for the summer. Application due May 30.

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  • Worker housing in Ashton village

    A New National Park in the Blackstone River Valley

    In 2011 the NPS released a study to inform Congress and the public about the feasibility of creating a new National Park Unit in the Blackstone Valley

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  • Mule spinner image

    Lesson Plans

    The Corridor Commission has three lesson plans ready to use in your classroom right now.

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  • BV 101 logo

    BV 101

    Blackstone Valley 101 is a free, interactive on-line learning program that gives an overview of the history and heritage of the valley.

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  • Ranger Chuck Arning shooting an episode of Along The Blackstone

    Episodes of Along the Blackstone

    Seventeen episodes of our award-winning public access cable program "Along the Blackstone" are now available for you to download.

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  • The Woonsocket Depot, headquarters of the Corridor Commission

    Why A Park?

    Watch a brief video detailing why the NPS decided that resources in the Blackstone River Valley are suitable for inclusion in the National Park System

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Did You Know?

Child mill workers

Children as young as age six were hired to work in the textile mills of the Blackstone River Valley. These adolescent workers were employed by the Lonsdale Company, c. 1912. Photos such as this helped lead to the passage of child labor laws.