Ranger Dan Meharg leading Walkabout in Chepachet

National Park Service Rangers offer Thursday Night Walkabouts this summer.
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 this summer. Each Thursday this summer the rangers or one of our volunteer partners will offer a free program somewhere in the Blackstone Valley – a chance for you to explore part of the history or natural beauty of the Valley we call home.

This year’s offerings will kick of with a tour of the Blackstone Canal at the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge. Along the way you will learn about the construction of use of the Blackstone Canal and view the remains of the Goat Hill Lock.

According to Ranger Kevin Klyberg, “we really enjoy doing these Walkabouts because it gives us a chance to take people to some of the often overlooked jewels of the Blackstone Valley. Some of these tours are old favorites, but these tours also give us a reason to do some more research and learn new stories to share.”

All of the programs are free and begin at 6:30 p. m. For more information about these programs, please contact the Heritage Corridor at (401) 762-0440

Goat Hill trail

May 29: Blackstone Canal & Walk to Goat Hill Lock
Come along with a Park Ranger to discover one of the hidden treasures of the Blackstone Valley. This hike highlights the construction, use and reuses of the Blackstone Canal, and features a viewing of the ruins of the Goat Hill Lock, one of the last remaining of 48 lift locks used on the canal. Please wear sturdy walking shoes. Tour begins at Goat Hill trail head, just east of the intersection of Hartford Avenue East and Oak Street, Uxbridge.

June 5: Lonsdale New Village, Cumberland
While known as “Lonsdale New Village,” this area was the site of William Blackstone’s home - the first English settler of the Valley that now bears his name. Join a NPS Ranger from the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor to explore this vital village, from the days of William Blackstone through the era of the Ann & Hope Mill and on into the present day. Tour begins at the William Blackstone Memorial Park on Broad Street.

June 12: Blackstone Gorge, Blackstone/North Smithfield
Join a ranger from the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor for a walk through the Blackstone Gorge, the last remaining wild section of the river. See how glaciers created the river and enjoy the natural beauty of the area, including the Mountain Laurel and Hemlock. Please wear sturdy walking shoes. Tour begins at the trailhead in the Gorge Parking lot, off County Road, Blackstone.

June 19: Valley Falls, Cumberland/ Central Falls
The Village of Valley Falls straddles the Blackstone River between Cumberland and Central Falls. Its rich heritage includes the origins of one of the regions’ largest textile empires, and a tale of the Underground Railroad. This tour will begin at the Valley Falls Heritage Park on Broad Street, Cumberland.

June 26: Hopedale
From religious commune to factory town, Hopedale has a long and vibrant history. Beginning with a small group of religious idealist seeking to create a perfect community, Hopedale evolved into the home of the largest manufacturer of looms in America at the Draper Corporation. Come along with a National Park Service Ranger from the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor to explore this town and discover some of these fascinating stories. Please meet the ranger at Hopedale Unitarian Church, 65 Hopedale Street, Hopedale.

July 10: Kelly House, Lincoln
From the Blackstone Canal to the Blackstone Bikeway, this little corner of Lincoln, RI has undergone a number of changes over the past 200 years. Join a Rhode Island DEM Ranger to tour the museum of transportation at the Kelly House and explore the history of the mill and canal activity here. The Kelly House is located along the Blackstone River Bikeway at the end of Lower River Road in Lincoln. Parking is also available at Bikeway lots off Rt. 116 in Lincoln, (on the west end of the bridge across the Blackstone River) and at Front Street in Ashton Village, Cumberland.

July 17: Fisherville, Farnumsville & the Canal
Grafton Fisherville and Farnumsville are part of the chain of mill villages along the Blackstone River in Grafton. Join a NPS Ranger to discover some of the stories of these sites, as well as the transformation that the area is undergoing today. This program presented in association with the Polish National Home Association & the South Grafton Community Center.  Program begins at the South Grafton Community Center, 25 Main Street, Grafton, MA.

Roger Williams National Memorial

July 24: Roger Williams National Memorial, Providence
Join a NPS Ranger for a lively, entertaining and informative look at the history and development of Rhode Island and its Capital City. Roger Williams’ Providence looks at the changing face of this city, from the days of Roger Williams up to the present, a span of more than 360 years. Tour begins at the Roger Williams National Memorial, 282 North Main Street, Providence, RI. Call 401-521-7266 for more information

July 31: Camp Fire Stories at the site of new Worcester Historical Museum.
What better way to spend the evening than a traditional park ranger campfire? Along with stories, you will have a chance to view the site of the upcoming Worcester/Blackstone Visitor Center, which will also be home to the Worcester Historical Museum. Program will be held at the Washburn and Moen Wireworks building at McKeon Road and Blackstone River Road in Worcester. Our special partners for this program are the Worcester Historical Museum and the Mass Audubon Society at Broad Meadow Brook.

August 7: Hunt House, East Providence
The Hunt House is the Headquarters of the East Providence Historical Society. Lt. John Hunt built this home c. 1750. Today it not only tells the story of those who lived here, but is used to interpret other wonderful stories of East Providence’s past, including the Rumford Chemical Company. Our partner for this program is the East Providence Historical Society. Program held at the Hunt House, 65 Hunts Mill Road, East Providence.

August 14: Millville Lock, Millville, MA.
Discover the Millville Lock with a National Park Service Ranger.  Hike along the old New York and New England rail trail to visit the best-preserved lock along the Blackstone Canal. Along the way, you will learn a little about the history of Millville and the role of the canal and railroad here. Most of the trail is flat, but please wear sturdy walking shoes. Meet at the parking lot on the corner of Central Street and Hope St., Millville, MA.

August 21: Camp Fire Stories at the site of new Worcester Historical Museum.
What better way to spend the evening than a traditional park ranger campfire? Along with stories, you will have a chance to view the site of the upcoming Worcester/Blackstone Visitor Center, which will also be home to the Worcester Historical Museum. Program will be held at the Washburn and Moen Wireworks building at McKeon Road and Blackstone River Road in Worcester. Our special partners for this program are the Worcester Historical Museum and the Mass Audubon Society at Broad Meadow Brook.