Who We Are

In 1986, the Blackstone Valley was recognized as a special place and designated as a National Heritage Corridor by the U.S. Congress (Public Law 99-647). A 19-member Federal Commission, appointed by the Governors of each state and approved by the Secretary of the Interior, consists of representatives from the National Park Service, state and local governments, and valley-wide interests, and oversees the Corridor’s operations.

[ image by Jim McElholm-Single Source Inc. ]

Congress established the National Heritage Corridor as an affiliated area of the National Park System to make the NPS tradition of management of cultural and natural resources available to the Blackstone River Valley.

National Park Service professionals make up the Corridor staff, and include interpretive rangers, planners, managers, and administrative specialists that provide expertise in historic and natural resource preservation, interpretation, education, and recreation development to carry out work as directed by the Commission and outlined in the Ten Year Plan.

[ image by Jim McElholm-Single Source Inc. ]

Known as the Birthplace of America's Industrial Revolution, the Blackstone Valley contains over 10,000 historic buildings and sites that together tell the story of America’s transition from an agrarian society to one of industry.

Throughout the region, one can see and experience how this area developed along the river valley and hilltops. As a partnership park, the Heritage Corridor Commission works to preserve the historic and environmental elements of the Valley’s landscape as well as to tell its story. It also seeks opportunities for investments in the Valley’s historic mill villages and revitalization of its river system. With a winning formula of collaboration and cooperation, the Heritage Corridor Commission has partnered with over 500 organizations, businesses, government agencies and individuals to achieve these goals. Perhaps most telling of the cooperative nature of this venture is the fact that the Commission cannot own or manage land or regulate activities -- it's all about partnerships!

Under the guidance of the Corridor, programs like the Blackstone Valley Institute and Volunteers in Parks have become an important part of the Corridor and examples of our partnership model.