The Blackstone Valley - Yesterday |
Who is
William Blackstone? | The Blackstone Valley -
Today
A Premiere Tourist Attraction |
The Blackstone Valley - Tomorrow |
Communities |
Valley Resources and Links
The
Blackstone Valley - Today
 Today,
the Blackstone Valley is undergoing a major renaissance, and at the
heart of that renaissance, just as it was at the heart of the
Industrial Revolution, is the Blackstone River.
 The
Blackstone Valley consists of twenty-one communities in Massachusetts
and Rhode Island. Rhode Island: Burrillville, Central Falls,
Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket,
Smithfield, and Woonsocket, and Massachusetts: Blackstone,
Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge,
Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge and Worcester.
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Cherry
Hill Herb Farm |
Today's Blackstone Valley is a unique study in
contrasts, sometimes going from one extreme to the other. It retains
much of its ethnic diversity and has large pockets which are either
very rural or industrial in character. While recent development has
enveloped much of the older village structure, the region still
retains many remnants of its rich cultural heritage and rural
landscape and in fact, many "relatively unchanged places still
exist where one can easily imagine life as it was." (Working
Water, page 5, 1987).
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Aerial
View of the Valley |
The challenge for those working to preserve and
promote the Valley is to balance the economic, environmental,
and preservation needs of the region. While the individual communities
are making great strides to modernize infrastructure and build strong
economies, the region still retains an abundance of scenic areas, open
space and recreational facilities amid the densely populated Valley,
as well as many remnants from its rich cultural heritage.
As for the River, the Providence Journal said
it best when it declared on a front page story on Sunday, August 6,
1995: "The Blackstone is back."
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Canoeing
on the Blackstone |
Thanks to stronger environmental controls since the
early 70's and the decline of mills, the river is much cleaner and is
the site of increased fishing, canoeing, and an increasing number of
walkways, parks, and recreational areas along its banks. A 49 person
riverboat sails the river regularly and swimming may be possible in
the near future if cleanup efforts continue.
..But in the last quarter-century, the river
has become much cleaner, due to federal and state controls on sewer
plants and factory discharges, plus the decline of the mills. There
now are more fish and wildlife, both state are developing parks and
bike paths, and an excursion boat regularly plies the river."
(Providence
Journal - August 6, 1995)
The River has become the centerpiece of efforts by
local communities and agencies to expand recreational opportunities in
the Valley. In addition to the efforts of local cities and towns, the
last 15 years has seen the development of several regional efforts to
strengthen the Valley's economy, preserve and enhance its natural
resources, and promote its cultural and recreational resources.
 The
Blackstone Valley and Woonsocket Chambers of Commerce merged to form
the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and provide a stronger
base from which to serve the Valley's business community and enhance
the region's economy. The Northern Rhode Island Economic Development
Partnership has also made great strides in promoting short and long
term business opportunities in the region.
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Museum
of Work & Culture |
The
John
H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
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A
Park Ranger provides assistance to visitors. |
On November 10, 1986, Congress established the
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in Massachusetts
and Rhode Island to preserve and interpret significant historic and
cultural lands, waterways and structures in the Valley, and to boost
the economy. The National Park Service is working with the 2 states
and a 19-member commission to establish a new model for partnerships
between federal and state agencies and local communities. The corridor
embraces 46 miles of river and 20 towns in the two state. The goal of
the corridor is to develop a park "system" which links the
region's parks, historic sites, recreational facilities and other
attractions in order to enhance the recreational use of the valley by
residents and visitors alike.
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Slater
Park and Lincoln Woods (where lake swimming is available) are 2
of the many parks located throughout the Blackstone Valley. |
The corridor, the second in the nation, was created at
a time when the historic character of the Valley's mill villages and
rural landscape are threatened by the ever-quickening march of
suburbanization. The corridor has seen many changes, both man-made and
natural. Now, it is enjoying a cultural and economic resurgence
quickened by growth in the Boston and Providence areas, creating new
options and important choices for residents.
The corridor is based on a philosophy that what
affects one part affects all. Thus, we see an ever-changing fabric
that weaves hills and valleys, river and people together, it is indeed
a unique place. The Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor
Commission expresses its intention to keep this tapestry intact in its
statement of mission:
"Our goals for the Corridor are to retain
and renew the Blackstone Valley's distinctive historic and natural
character on a continuous basis for its entire length in a way that
supports and enhances what is best about the way of life of current
residents. New developments that reinforce and enhance the
Corridor's historic, social and natural assets will be encouraged.
Similarly, tourism will be encouraged and guided in such a manner as
to provide recreation and education to visitors and to reinforce the
goals of Corridor."
The Blackstone Valley - Yesterday |
Who is
William Blackstone? | The Blackstone Valley -
Today
A Premiere Tourist Attraction |
The Blackstone Valley - Tomorrow |
Communities |
Valley Resources and Links
|
