Congress Creates New National Park for the Blackstone River Valley

PROVIDENCE, RI – The long-awaited National Park for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor has been created by Congress. In a vote today of 89-11, the Senate approved the legislation, previously passed in the House, and the bill is on its way to the President for his signature.

The story of the Blackstone Valley is as iconic and important to the American identity as that of Plymouth Rock and Independence Hall; it is the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. The Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park will have multiple sites and include the Blackstone River, its tributaries and the canal, as well as several historic districts in Pawtucket, Slatersville, and Cumberland, RI and Whitinsville and Hopedale, MA. The effort to create the new National Historical Park has had strong support from the Congressional delegation from both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

“For years, I have led the effort to have the area recognized as a National Historical Park,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island. Reed is the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, which oversees the federal funding for the National Park Service. “This is an important step toward permanently preserving nationally-significant sites within the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor as part of the National Park System. This designation could help bring more visitors to Rhode Island and ensures the federal government will partner with the state and local communities to protect these resources. I appreciate the efforts of Congressman Cicilline and all the members of the Rhode Island and Massachusetts delegations who supported this.”

Congressman James McGovern, Massachusetts 2nd District, stated, “This action represents a significant step in our efforts to preserve the history and ecology of the Blackstone Valley. It has been a long time coming and I commend all involved – federal, state and local – for their efforts. I look forward to seeing the Blackstone in our National Park System.”

The new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park will go through a planning phase where all the details of its geographic emphasis, operation and programming will be developed.

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