Suggested events for February 11-12, 2017 Weekend
CELEBRATING NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEGENDS
??Rhode Island???s Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park is much more than its famed legacy as the actual birthplace of America???s Industrial Revolution.
??It is a region filled with stories of prominent national and world figures and local people that became known for their life achievements.
??Over the February 11-12 weekend discover and celebrate two influential persons that made an impact on the nation and in the local community.
??Presidential honors
Saturday, February 11, 11 am-5 pm, join at the historic Eleazer Arnold House, 487 Great Road, Lincoln, RI for an Abraham Lincoln Birthday Celebration.
This FREE event celebrates the life our America???s 16th President and his visits to Rhode Island in his 1860 campaign. Guests will enjoy birthday cake and a tour of the Arnold House, a 1693 ???stone ender home, now owned and preserved by Historic New England.
For more event details contact 401-728-9696 or www.historicnewengland.org
While in the area, you should consider taking a self guided walking tour of Main Street, Woonsocket, RI. This has a significant connection to President Lincoln,
During his March 1860 Presidential campaign, Mr. Lincoln made a famous stop to Harris Hall, now Woonsocket City Hall, at 169 Main Street. The site, then owned by prominent industrialist Edward Harris, also contained the site of Rhode Island???s first public library.
For a walking tour of Main Street go to the web at http://www.woonsocket.org/main.htm????
Learning about a village visionary
The Burrillville, RI main village of Harrisville plays a significant role in the social, community and economic development of Blackstone River Valley.
In particular, during the Great Depression of the 1930???s, one mill owner had the foresight to make Harrisville into his vision of what a quintessential Southern New England community should be.
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Sunday, February 12, at 1:30 pm, the Museum of Work & Culture, Market Square, Woonsocket, RI welcomes the public to see a FREE screening of a documentary of the life of Austin T. Levy.
Mr. Levy lived, worked, and dreamed of a better life for his friends and neighbors in Northwest Rhode Island during the first half of the 20th century. He was the owner of the Stillwater Worsted Mill in Harrisville (now revitalized as a site for housing, retail and public library.)
In the 1930???s Mr. Levy was responsible for re-creating Harrisville, with the construction of several public buildings. These sites included: Town Hall, Post Office, Assembly Theatre; and former Public Library Building. Today, Harrisville is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Of note, Mr. Levy hosted the Duke of Windsor (Britain???s former King Edward VIII) in 1944 on a memorable visit to Harrisville.
For more on this special presentation call the museum at 401-769-9675 or go to www.rihs.org
Also, visit www.tourblackstone.com for more daily events and visitor information.
Questions and comments on the Blackstone River Valley can be e-mailed at BVTourism@aol.com
For a complete listing of all events happening throughout the year in the Blackstone River Valley, visit our Calendar of Events on the web at www.eventblackstone.com????
This interactive website is freshly updated daily and offers direct links to detailed information on each public event posted in the Calendar of Events.
Additional visitor information is available by contacting the Blackstone Valley RI Visitor Center, located at 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860 Telephone 401-724-2200. Call for hours of operation.
Traveler Information Centers also located at the Blackstone River State Park Visitor Center, off Interstate Route 295 north, Lincoln, RI and at the Museum of Work & Culture at Market Square, Woonsocket, RI. Call 401-724-2200 for locations, operating hours and directions.