Exciting weekend preview of happenings inside Rhode Island???s historic Blackstone River Valley
??Suggested Events for Memorial Day Holiday Weekend
MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND STARTS SUMMER VACATION AND TRAVEL SEASON
Discover close to home military connections and kick off summer season with great live and local entertainment and explore local nature
The traditional start of the summer vacation and travel season begins over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, May 27-30. At the same time, the holiday period is a time to reflect and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.??
Honor military connections over the holiday, along with starting off summertime with great live entertainment and hidden nature, all throughout Rhode Island???s Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.??
Located in Northern Rhode Island, Blackstone River Valley is filled with captivating history, culture, entertainment and outdoors interests surrounded by the region???s signature role as the actual birthplace of America???s Industrial Revolution.
Remembering our military
The Memorial Day Holiday began during the US Civil War (1861-1865) as was referred to as Decoration Day, when the graves of soldiers killed in the line of duty were decorated with flowers as a mark of respect.????
Today, the Memorial Day holiday tributes all military war dead with ceremonies and parades to honor the service of our fallen heroes.??
Some of the many activities to consider include the annual Town of Lincoln Memorial Day Parade, set for Monday morning, May 30, at 10 am. Local military organizations and dignitaries will march along Smithfield Avenue, from Walker Street to the Pawtucket city line. More on the parade at www.lincolnri.org or call Town Hall at 401-333-1100.??
Another destination to connect with our military is the Woonsocket Veterans Memorial Museum, located inside the American French Genealogy Society, 78 Earle Street, Woonsocket, RI.??
This site offers displays and related memorabilia with connections to the armed forces. The museum is open every Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, with free admission for veterans and students. For details call 401-222-9025??
Also, Blackstone River Valley is home to three Historic Armories that were sites for the RI militia forces and National Guard for many decades. And, they hosted many public events and ceremonies over the years. Today, these magnificent castle-like structures have become repurposed for local community use.??
In Pawtucket, RI the former Pawtucket Armory, 172 Exchange Street, was built 1894-1895, and now the home of the Pawtucket Armory Arts Exchange. The building hosts several community arts and entertainment related organizations. Some of the prominent groups housed in the Pawtucket Armory are the renowned Gamm Theatre, The Rhody Center for Performing Arts, among others. The massive drill hall also hosts many community and statewide celebrations and fundraisers.
The Woonsocket Armory, at the corner of South Main Street & Providence Street, Woonsocket, RI, was constructed in 1912. Besides its military role, the site hosted many local family events. Today, the armory serves as a parish hall.
And, in Chepachet, RI the Glocester Light Infantry Armory, on Dorr Drive, was built in 1865. The site is home to the infantry volunteers who actively keep the heritage of the Glocester Light Infantry alive. The militia group played an influential role in the Dorr Rebellion (1841-1842), Rhode Island???s own civil war, which led to adopting a new State Constitution.
More about these facilities are available online at http://www.rhodeislandarmories.org/????
Plus, for US Civil War buffs, check out an important Rhode Island connection at the Central Falls-Adams Memorial Library, 205 Central Street, Central Falls, RI
At the library there is the Lysander Flagg Museum, which holds a valued and timeless letter written by US Civil War hero Sullivan Ballou, who hailed from the city, when it was part of the original town of Smithfield.??
Sullivan Ballou was an officer with the Union Army, along with being a prominent lawyer and politician. In 1861, during the First Battle of Bull Run, Sullivan Ballou was fatally wounded. A week before he died, he wrote an eloquent letter to his wife, which was included in the famed documentary of the US Civil War done by Ken Burns and aired on PBS television in the early 1990???s.??
For more about this site call 401-727-7440 or go to
http://www.cflibrary.org/history/
Swing into summer with music!
For a lively way to start off your summertime fun don???t miss a great night of jazz, blues and more at Chan???s Eggrolls and Jazz Concerts, 267 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI.
Saturday night, May 28, at 8 pm join in a gigantic birthday bash honoring proprietor John Chan, plus a special guest.
Jimmy ???2 Suits??? Capone headlines the show, with featured performers The All Star Chan Clan Band. The concert offers some of the best in Southern New England???s music scene.??
Tickets are on sale right now by calling Chan???s at 401-765-1900, or online at
Naturally, Blackstone
Blackstone River Valley is more than just historic mills, factories and villages. There are many captivating areas that are habitat for wildlife, especially along the Blackstone American Heritage River.
Sunday morning, May 29, at 8 am, participate in a Birding by the Blackstone nature walk, happening from the Captain Wilbur Kelly House Museum, inside the Blackstone River State Park, 1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI.
Join Rosanne Sherry, a volunteer with the Volunteer-In-Parks program of Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc., as she leads a casual walk in the heart of the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park to search for returning migrant birds. We???ll take note of other signs of spring we may encounter. Questions are encouraged, beginner birders especially welcome.
Program size is limited. Participants are asked to pre-register at BlackstoneBirds@gmail.com or call 508-234-4242.