Many Ways to VisitWhether you are interested in learning more about the Valley’s history, want to take a quiet walk along the Blackstone Canal, or love paddling your way downstream, there are many ways to enjoy your visit to the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. Start your adventure here:Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark 67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, RI First, you’ll want to visit Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark - America’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill. The visitor contact station inside the mill includes interpretive panels, a short film, and a place to stamp your park passport. A series of outside signs explain the evolution of industry along the Pawtucket Falls. Check with a staff person about ranger-led tours of the mill. Continue your visit here:Blackstone River State Park 1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI Start with a visit to the Kelly House Museum, open May through October (free). Then take a walk, run, or bike ride along the Blackstone River Bikeway which runs through the park. If you have more time, take a walk across the Bikeway bridge to explore the historic Ashton Mill Village, located on the other side of the Blackstone River. The park also has boat launches for paddlers, fishing spots, and shaded picnic areas. Then visit one or more mill villages:Slatersville 20 Main Street, Slatersville, RI Discover America’s first planned mill village, the blueprint for the other villages in the Blackstone Valley: Slatersville, Rhode Island. The village John Slater created in 1807, is easily walkable and a great example of all the parts of mill village construction. Whitinsville 1 Elm Place, Whitinsville, MA Whitinsville has several eras of mill housing, each built to support an expansion of the massive Whitin Machine Works. Learn more about the work of Whitinsville’s machinists by reading signs located throughout the downtown area. Hopedale Hopedale & Peace St. Hopedale, MA Hopedale began as a commune and became the home of Draper Corporation, America’s largest loom manufacturer. View some of the finest worker housing in the Blackstone Valley, then walk through the Parklands - the recreation area built by the Drapers for their workers around the Hopedale Mill Pond. Start your visit: 67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, RI If you only have an hour, you’ll want to visit Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark - America’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill. The visitor contact station inside the mill includes interpretive panels, a short film, and a place to stamp your park passport. A series of outside signs explain the evolution of industry along the Pawtucket Falls. Check with a staff person about ranger-led tours of the mill.
Blackstone River State Park & Ashton Mill Village 1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI If you have a half day to visit, head over to Blackstone River State Park. Here you can visit the Captain Wilbur Kelly House Transportation Museum, open May through October (free). The Museum shows how transportation evolved in the Valley to support the growing mills. The park also has boat launches for paddlers, fishing spots, and space to just sit under a tree and have a picnic. And if you have a bit more time, walk across the Bikeway bridge and stroll through the historic Ashton Mill Village on the other side of the Blackstone River. Old Slater Mill 67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, RI If you only have an hour, you’ll want to visit Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark - America’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill. The visitor contact station inside the mill includes interpretive panels, a short film, and a place to stamp your park passport. A series of outside signs explain the evolution of industry along the Pawtucket Falls. Check with a staff person about ranger-led tours of the mill. |
Last updated: March 31, 2023