Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked and where they lived. Learn how this revolution transformed the landscape of the Blackstone Valley and the United States. The Visitor Center at Old Slater Mill is closed for the winter season.
About under an hour from Providence, 1 hours from Boston and 1.5 hours from Hartford by car.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Hours
| Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park | Daily · Sunrise to Sunset |
Visitor centers
- Old Slater Mill Visitor CenterPassport stamp
The Visitor Information Center at Old Slater Mill is operated seasonally. Please see active exceptions to ensure that the visitor contact station is open for your visit.
Explore
Things to do
- Revolutionary War Veteran's Pension Transcription Programs90-120 Minutes
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, the National Archives and National Park Service are collaborating on a special project to transcribe Revolutionary War Pension Files of more than 80,000 of America's first veterans…
Opens on the Park Service site - Fall Programs60-90 Minutes
Explore the Blackstone Valley on a ranger-led walk or program this fall! Programs listed here are free and open to the public. No registration is required to attend.
Opens on the Park Service site - Ranger Walkabouts45-75 Minutes
During the months of June, July, and August, join a Park Ranger on 60-minute walking tour at varying locations in the Blackstone Valley.
Opens on the Park Service site - Ranger Guided Tours - Slater Mill30-45 Minutes
Slater Mill is called the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, but what does that really mean? What occurred within the four walls of Old Slater Mill forever changed the fabric of the United States of America.
Opens on the Park Service site - Parked at Home45-60 Minutes
Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home. Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we’ll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites.
Opens on the Park Service site - Take Me Fishing
Learn to fish with us this summer! Join park staff Sunday afternoons in June, July, and August for some FREE family fun. Catch some fish, learn about the river, and earn a Junior Angler badge. All fishing material and bait are provided.
Opens on the Park Service site
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- Nature Walk and Scavenger Hunt45-60 Minutes
Join us for nature walk and scavenger hunt. These walks through the Blackstone River State Park are intended for naturalists of all ages. Younger visitors will be able to complete a plant and animal scavenger hunt.
Opens on the Park Service site - Towpath Talk45-60 Minutes
Join a Park Ranger for guided walk along the historic Blackstone Canal. This program is offered on Saturdays in the months of June, July, and August.
Opens on the Park Service site - Winter Programs
Just because it's winter, doesn't mean there's nothing to see and do in the Blackstone River Valley. Check out these awesome programs to learn more about the Valley's geology, birds, and more
Opens on the Park Service site - Visit Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark15-60 Minutes
The birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Old Slater Mill is open as a museum. Visitors can learn about the history of the site through exhibits, films, and tours. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.
Opens on the Park Service site - Birding Along the Blackstone45-75 Minutes
Start your summer weekend off with a bird walk along the beautiful Blackstone River and Canal. Park staff will lead hour-long walking tours at the Blackstone River State Park on Fridays and Sundays.
Opens on the Park Service site - Winter Hikes60-90 Minutes
Hikes start at 10:00 AM on Saturday mornings. See listing for details.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- Old Slater Mill Tour10/1510:30 AM · runs through Oct 29 · free67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860
- Pawtucket's Iron Foundation: The 1670 Jenks Settlement Walking Tour10/1711:30 AM · runs through Oct 31 · free67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860
- Webster Walking Tour10/1710:00 AM · freeMeet in the lobby of the Gladys E. Kelly Public Library (2 Lake St., Webster, MA)
- Crafternoon at Slater Mill10/1812:00 PM · free
- 04:00 PM · freeRiver Bend Farm (287 Oak Street, Uxbridge, MA)
- Archaeology Days at Slater Mill10/3010:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · free
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- Remaking the Landscape10/3001:30 PM · runs through Oct 31 · free
- What's So Scary About Slater Mill?10/3006:30 PM · free67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860
- "No War But an Abolition War:" Hopedale's Dilemma during the Civil War11/0710:00 AM · freeThis program takes place at the Hopedale Community House (43 Hope Street, Hopedale, MA).
- Elder Ballou Cemetery Tour11/1410:00 AM · free · registration requiredElder Ballou Meeting House Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island. A small parking lot is available on the left side of the road if…
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for New England
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Canoeing and kayaking in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Questions people ask
Does Blackstone River Valley charge an entrance fee?
No. Blackstone River Valley is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Blackstone River Valley?
Standard hours are Sunrise to Sunset, every day.
Source: National Park Service
When was Blackstone River Valley established?
2014.
Source: Wikipedia
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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