Blackstone Heritage Corridor Launches Public Input Survey

Community Feedback Will Help Guide Stewardship Priorities

For the past 35 years, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) has been the storyteller, guide, and champion for the bi-state region created by Congress in 1986. The Corridor celebrates its heritage as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. The innovation and imagination that fueled the nationally significant farm-to-factory story are the hallmarks of the region today. As BHC looks to the next ten years and beyond, it seeks public input on key issues, values, and priorities to help guide its stewardship of the historic, cultural, natural, and recreational resources within the 25 communities that make up the National Heritage Corridor.

“The Corridor is a living, breathing environment that continues to evolve because of the people who live, work and play here,” noted BHC’s Executive Director, Devon Kurtz. “We are proud of the accomplishments of our 35 years, but our mission is to tell the story of the people past and present who shaped this Valley. We need to hear from you!  How best can we showcase your community? How can we create more welcoming spaces for you and your family to explore? What stories are we missing, and how can we tell our history with greater inclusivity? How can we help you feel part of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s future?”

BHC is a dynamic nonprofit organization that helped birth the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park in 2014 and serves as its local coordinating entity. BHC manages the National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks program and connects people to the rich resources throughout the Park and the Corridor. Current projects include a feasibility study to restore a section of the Blackstone Canal in Uxbridge and Northbridge and working with communities on the continued expansion of the Blackstone River Greenway/Bikeway.

BHC is eager to learn what people enjoy doing in the Blackstone River Valley and what they want to see protected, restored, and celebrated. BHC’s Public Input Survey is open through June 30^th and can be found at bit.ly/BHCSURVEY and its website at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.