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Tour of the
Week - Blackstone River Valley
Rhode Island, New
England, USA
August 10, 2007
A Determined People
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Sample Packaged Tour Itinerary |
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A Determined People
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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 |
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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 pm
The Great Road - Mill Villages of the Valley |
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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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Enjoy 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 |
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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 |
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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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