Blackstone River Coalition Publishes Stormwater Management Guides
Three new guides on how stormwater can be better managed at home are now available from the Blackstone River Coalition. Click on these links to learn more and to download them from the BRC’s web site today!

Homeowner's Guide to Protecting Water Quality in the Blackstone River Watershed — eight fact sheets about reducing impacts from lawns, cars, pets, dishwashers, rooftop runnoff, household hazardous waste and impervious surfaces to waterways.

Horse Owner's Guide to Protecting Water Quality in the Blackstone Valley

Small Farm Owner's Guide to Protecting Water Quality in the Blackstone Valley

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Woonsocket Falls

New docent training session offered at the Museum of Work and Culture
The Museum of Work & Culture located in Woonsocket, RI, in partnership with the Heritage Corridor Commission, will be offering a training session for volunteers interested in learning how to lead outdoor walking tours. The walking tours take place in the Market Square area of Woonsocket along the Blackstone River. Volunteers will learn about the role the river played in the American Industrial Revolution and about the development of Woonsocket as an industrial center.

A National Park Service Ranger will instruct the participants on Tuesday, March 25 and Tuesday, April 1 from 10:00 am to noon. Participants must attend both sessions. Since the walking tours will be offered to students in conjunction with Museum of Work & Culture school tours, participants will need to be available during school hours. The first session will include an overview of the history of the Blackstone River Valley as well as tips on preparing and presenting interpretive programs. The second session will include a detailed tour of the Market Square area highlighting its themes and resources and explaining how and why the tour was developed.

To register or for more information, please call the Museum of Work & Culture at 401-769-9675.

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Museum of Work and Culture and Heritage Corridor Commission host Ranger Days Talks this Winter 
Once again this year the Museum of Work and Culture is presenting a series of Ranger Days talks sponsored by the Heritage Corridor Commission. The Ranger Days talks are held on Sundays beginning at 1:30pm in the Museum’s Union Hall. Admission to the presentations is free. “This is the eleventh year we have co-hosted this lecture series with the Museum of Work and Culture,” said National Park Service Ranger Kevin Klyberg. “These talks have been a great partnership between the Heritage Corridor Commission and the Museum. The Museum’s Independent Textile Union Hall exhibit gives us a forum to bring in speakers who can discuss aspects of the rich heritage of the Blackstone River Valley that don’t normally fit into our Ranger programs.”

The series kicked off on January 20 with a presentation by local historian Erik Eckilson who depicted the evolution of the various neighborhoods of Woonsocket. He explored the original six mill villages and their present status. Other neighborhoods such as Cato Hill, the North End and the East Woonsocket were also discussed.

Other programs in the series this year include:
February 17 David Bettencourt discusses the making of his film “You Must Be This Tall,” the fascinating award winning documentary story of Rocky Point amusement park.
March 2 Elizabeth Vangel presents “Champions of Freedom” a lecture and visual presentation of the Anti-Slavery Movement in the greater Woonsocket area before the Civil War.
March 16 Anne Conway, co-Site Director of the Museum will present the film “Nouvelle France” about the collapse of New France and the establishment of the British regime in 1759 to 1761.
March 30 Carlo and Betty Mencucci present “Burrillville Celebrates”, a film which bears witness to 200 years of Burrillville’s history highlighting many aspects of the town’s political, educational, economic and social experiences

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