Photo by Ellen Kawadler captured at the Smith-Appleby House Museum in Smithfield, RI.

Happy 4th of July!

One element of Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s mission is to celebrate our region’s rich historical past. In commemoration of Independence Day, we thought we’d share a little local history from 198 years ago. On July 4th, 1826, the Declaration of Independence was 50 years old, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams passed away, and Irish immigrants began to arrive in the Blackstone Valley.

Led by Canal contractor Tobias Boland, this first major wave of Irish immigrants was invited to build the Blackstone Canal. Irish canal workers were professionals at their craft, having worked on canals in Ireland, England, and many on the Erie Canal in New York. Although valued for their work, they found themselves subject to prejudices, particularly regarding their Catholic faith. At first, Irish workers were allowed only to work on manual tasks, such as canal and railroad construction. Soon, however, mill owners welcomed them to support the growing industry. By the mid-1800s, the Irish were the major immigrant workforce in the region. A larger wave of immigrants continued to arrive during the potato famine years. As the Valley’s Irish population grew, several became entrepreneurs, and others progressed to management roles and mill ownership.

This was just the first wave of immigrants to the Blackstone River Valley. French Canadians were recruited to work in the growing textile industry, and Swedes to work in the iron and wire-making trade. By the early 20th century, immigrants from Italy, Poland, Ukraine, and Armenia came to the Valley seeking freedom and a better life. Today, we welcome newcomers from Central and South America, Southeast Asia, India, and Afghanistan whose presence and contributions greatly enrich the culture and vibrancy of life in the Blackstone River Valley.

The Blackstone Heritage Corridor has acted as the Guide, the Champion, and the Storyteller of the Blackstone River Valley for nearly 40 years. Please give today to support our work. Learn more at PreservetheCorridor.org.