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News

For Immediate Release
September 27, 2005
Contact:
Lisa Mosczynski,
Media Relations
508-341-4876

Ranger Dan Wegner Ready to Walk Length of
Blackstone River Valley to Promote
Footsteps in History Preserve America Weekend

Confirming Worcester Historical Museum start at 11:30 am Wednesday

Worcester, MA. National Park Service Ranger Daniel Wegner will begin his Blackstone River Valley walk from the steps of the Worcester Historical Museum at 30 Elm Street, Worcester tomorrow morning (September 28, 2005) at 11:30 am. He will be kicking-off the Blackstone River Valley Tourism Collaborative’s upcoming Footsteps in History Preserve America weekend scheduled for Columbus Day Weekend (October 8, 9 and 10).

Abby Kelley Foster, the 19th century Worcester abolitionist and women's rights activist and an icon of Worcester’s history, (interpreted by Lynne McKenney Lydick of the Worcester Women’s History Project) will be on hand to wish Dan the best with his walk. Ms. Lydick will also give a performance of Yours for Humanity--Abby for Footsteps in History on Saturday, October 8, 2005, from 2:00 -3:00 pm.

Over 130 sites and events have been assembled for the Footsteps in History Preserve America Weekend and it has quickly become the largest mobilization of historic and cultural sites, open houses, artistic and interpretive programs, and festivals ever planned for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Footsteps in History programs with details on all the sites and events will be available at libraries, town halls and participating sites as well as at www.footstepsinhistory.com.
Walking on behalf of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Ranger Dan’s route through Worcester will also take him past the city’s newly renovated park, over to beautifully restored Union Station, on to the path of the Blackstone Canal and towards Quinsigamond Village and the Blackstone River Bikeway. He will conclude his first day at the Asa Waters Mansion in Millbury.

See a schedule of the highlights of Ranger Dan's Walk. All events are subject to change without notice.

Footsteps in History is sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Collaborative an organization representing the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The Collaborative has affiliated with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s Preserve America Program to offer over 130 historical and cultural sites to the public with open houses, artistic and interpretive programs, festivals and much more during Columbus Day Weekend.

This project has also been funded by a grant from The Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Collaborative is encouraging visitors to participate in the Footsteps in History Preserve America weekend by promoting a $1,000 Gas Give-a-Way contest through the over 130 sites participating in the weekend. For contest details, see www.footstepsinhistory.com.
For more information and a complete listing of participating sites and organizations, visit www.footstepsinhistory.com or call Veronica Cadoppi, Program Coordinator at 401-724-2200.

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Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, On the banks of the Blackstone, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
1-800-454-BVTC (2882) Local: 401-724-2200 Fax: 401-724-1342 info@tourblackstone.com