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Tour of the
Week - Blackstone River Valley
Rhode Island, New
England, USA
April 6, 2007
Mill Owners and
Mill Workers |
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Sample Packaged Tour Itinerary |
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Mill Owners and Mill Workers
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The Blackstone River is the
centerpiece of the 400,000-acre Blackstone River Valley. One
of 14 American Heritage Rivers, the powerful Blackstone
flows between Worcester, Massachusetts and Providence Rhode
Island. As a special kind of place called a national
heritage corridor, it tells the story of the river's role in
starting New England's textile industry and the American
Industrial Revolution.
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9:00
am Homes of the 18th Century Rich
and Famous |
| You will begin your tour at Benefit
Street a "Mile of History" where you will take a glimpse into
the world of the wealthy 18th century Providence merchants and
businessmen who invested their money into building textile mills
on the Blackstone River. These homes are the
most impressive collection of original Colonial and 18th
century architecture.
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10:00 am John Brown House Museum
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| The palatial John Brown House was built in 1786
to reflect its owner's wealth and position. An entrepreneur,
privateer and China trade merchant, John Brown ordered the best
furniture early colonial cabinetmakers produced--including a desk
considered to be the finest piece of colonial furniture in
existence--and imported the finest decorative objects from
abroad.
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11:30 The Great Road - Villages of the Valley |
We will begin the transition from the world of the
mill owners to that of mill workers along the scenic Great Road
District in Lincoln, RI. Constructed on Native
American trails in the 17th century, this historic road
features the 1812 Moffett Mill, an example of an early wooden
mill; the 1812 Butterfly Mill, one of the state's earliest stone
textile mills and the 1810 Hearthside House. As we continue
our journey through the valley, we will travel through historic
mill villages and also look at architectural examples of the
triple-decker.
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12:30 pm Traditional French
Canadian Lunch |
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a relaxed catered lunch at the Museum of Work and Culture in
Woonsocket, RI where they will serve you local French-Canadian
cuisine.
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1:30 pm Mill Bells and Church Bells
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| Industrial history has a human face during your tour of the Museum
of Work and Culture which explores the lives of the mill workers.
The industrial revolution was truly a revolution in that it changed
nearly every aspect of American daily life. For the million or so
people who left French Canada to work in the textile mills of the
Blackstone Valley adjusting to the daily summons of the factory bell
was just one of the many changes they faced.
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3:00 pm First Planned Industrial Community, Slatersville RI |
| We will continue with a brief driving tour of Slatersville, RI. It's
appearance is deceptive; it looks like a classic New England
village, however it was America's first planned industrial village
built between 1803-1807 completed with a town common lined with
lovely old homes. It also includes views of early worker housing, a
company store and a dam that provided waterpower to the local
mills. |
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4:00 pm Village Haven
Restaurant |
| Finish with a Chicken Family Style dinner at Village Haven. This is
a regional specialty that you will find in the valley. Your meal
includes roasted chicken, ziti, salad and French fries along with a
small beverage and dessert. |
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This is a guided tour.
Tour Operator Price: $36
The price is based on a minimum of
37 people.
To schedule a tour contact:
Lilly Kayamba
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Blackstone Valley Visitor Center
175 Main Street
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
BVTCLilly@aol.com
800-454-2882
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