News 2005

Blackstone River Valley Footsteps in History Preserve America Weekend Begins with Reception and Heritage Tourism Summit
Ron Anzalone, Director, Office of Preservation Initiatives, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to Speak at Asa Waters Mansion Tonight

Millbury, MA. / Pawtucket, RI. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor working together as the Blackstone River Valley Tourism Collaborative will announce the start of its Footsteps in History Preserve America program at a reception at 6 pm Monday, October 3 at the Asa Waters Mansion at 123 Elm Street in Millbury, MA. The Blackstone River Valley Cultural and Heritage Tourism Summit  Footsteps in History: Building Heritage Tourism in the Blackstone River Valley follows on Tuesday, October 4 at 8:30 am at the Slater Mill Historic Site at 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

"We are so very pleased that the 24 Preserve America communities of Blackstone River Valley have come together to highlight their Preserve America designations through this wonderful program. They are setting a great example for other communities and regions throughout the country," said John Nau, Chairman, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and co-chair, Preserve America Steering Committee. "Preserve America is a White House initiative established by President Bush in 2003 to encourage and support local communities for their efforts to preserve the past through programs like "Footsteps in History."

Mr. Ronald D. Anzalone, Director of the Office of Preservation Initiatives, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will be representing the Council when he arrives Monday. He will be welcomed to the Blackstone River Valley at the reception and will be the keynote speaker at the Cultural and Tourism Summit. The Council is an independent Federal agency charged with advising the President and Congress on historic preservation matters, and administering the Federal historic preservation review process. Anzalone has been involved in historic preservation and public policy at the Federal level for 25 years. (See bio attached.)

This newly created heritage program is designed to showcase the collection of historic and cultural offerings found throughout the Blackstone River Valley. During Columbus Day Weekend -- October 8, 9 and 10 -- over 130 heritage and culturally significant buildings and events will be open or offered to the public literally 5 centuries of history in 3 days!

This project has also received support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, and Preserve America.

"We are thrilled with the response we have gotten in support of this new project that focuses on the culture and heritage of the Blackstone River Valley," Veronica Cadoppi, Footsteps in History Program Coordinator explained. "To have 130 sites and things to do the very first year is very exciting. There are some very special and unique events that are described in the Footsteps in History program and you can find that in your local library or town hall as well as on-line at www.footstepsinhistory.com," she said.

Known as the Birthplace of America's Industrial Revolution, the Blackstone River Valley's 24 communities were designated by President and Mrs. Bush as Preserve America communities in 2004. To highlight this proud achievement, the region's Blackstone River Valley Tourism Collaborative developed Footsteps in History to make all historical and cultural sites open and available to the public with open houses, artistic and interpretive programs, festivals and much more during this three-day fall weekend.

For more information and a complete listing of participating sites and organizations, call Veronica Cadoppi, Program Coordinator at 401-724-2200.
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Footsteps in History is sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Collaborative an organization representing the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The Collaborative has also affiliated with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Preserve America Program. The Blackstone Valley Tourism Collaborative encourages visitors to participate in the Footsteps in History Preserve America weekend by promoting a $1,000 Gas Give-a-Way contest through the over 130 sites participating in the weekend. For contest details, see www.footstepsinhistory.com.

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