Planning for the Future
Heritage Landscape Inventories
Heritage landscapes are special places that help define the character of our communities. In the Blackstone Valley, heritage landscapes include the mill villages, farmsteads, cemeteries, parks and river corridors that, through a combination of natural and cultural resources, reflect the region's history and contribute to its sense of place.
In the early 2000's, Blackstone Heritage Corridor partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor, Inc. and the RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission to develop an inventory of heritage landscapes in 15 communities in the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, and identify those landscapes that warrant protection to ensure the sustainable environment and culture of the Blackstone Valley.
Community participants identified a wide range of heritage landscapes, including more than 80 that lacked long-term protection. These prioritized heritage landscapes were then documented in even greater detail and strategies were developed for the protection of these high-priority landscapes.
Each community received a report that addresses town-wide preservation issues and provides specific recommendations for the high-priority landscapes.
Copies of the reports and maps may be downloaded by clicking on the relevant town or map:
Douglas, MA Report / Douglas, MA Landscape Map
Grafton, MA Report / Grafton, MA Landscape Map
Hopedale, MA Report / Hopedale Landscape Map
Leicester, MA Report / Leicester, MA Landscape Map
Mendon, MA Report / Mendon, MA Landscape Map
Millbury, MA Report / Millbury, MA Landscape Map
Millville, MA Report / Millville, MA Landscape Map
Northbridge, MA Report / Northbridge, MA Landscape Map