News 2006

For Immediate Release

CONTACTS:
Robert Beadle, Media Liaison
Phone: 401-632-6573, E-mail: Robert@nepublications.com
OR
Lorraine Provencher, Coordinator
Phone: 401-724-2200, E-mail: bvfootsteps@aol.com
175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

OPEN HOUSE, TALK SET AT THE LATE STANLEY KUNITZ HOME
Event is one of 100 Footsteps in History programs set to begin Columbus Day Weekend

WORCESTER, R.I., (October 2, 2006) – The childhood home of the poet Stanley Kunitz at 4 Woodford St. will be open to the public this weekend. The Worcester-born Kunitz, a U.S. Poet Laureate, died in May at the age of 100.

All 24 communities of the Blackstone River Valley are opening the doors to their best cultural and historical attractions during the Second Annual Footsteps in History Preserve America Weekend on October 7-9.

The house at 4 Woodford St. is now owned by Greg and Carol Stockmal. The couple became friends with Kunitz when he drove by with his wife in 1985 to take a look at his former home. The Stockmals invited them in. It was the first time Kunitz had been inside the house in 60 years. For many years Kunitz divided his time between New York City and Provincetown.

Admission is free. There will be continuous tours of the house, talks on Kunitz, and open readings. The house will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The open house will also include an exhibit of photos of Kunitz in his Provincetown garden taken by Marnie Crawford Samuelson. Samuelson will give a talk Sunday afternoon.

Known as the Birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution, the 24 communities of the Blackstone River Valley were designated by President and Mrs. Bush and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as Preserve America communities in 2004. To highlight this proud achievement, the region 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 event.

More than 100 tours, open houses and events have been listed in this year’s celebration. A copy of all events, tours and open houses can be found throughout the Blackstone Valley at various Visitor Centers and sites in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. A complete listing may also be found on this website (events) or by calling 1-800-454-2882 for more information.

The Stanley Kunitz event is sponsored by the Worcester County Poetry Association, Footsteps in History and Greg and Carol Stockmal.

About Footsteps in History

The Footsteps in History Preserve America Weekend “Five Centuries in Three Days” is a celebration of our national heritage in which the 24 communities of the Blackstone River Valley showcase about 100 cultural and historical attractions for the enjoyment of residents, tourists and their families. Footsteps in History was created by the Blackstone River Valley Tourism Collaborative, which includes the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, and the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Footsteps in History is sponsored by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, the Massachusetts Historical Commission with grant funding from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. See this website (events) for the complete list of events, pick up a brochure at area visitor centers or call 1-800-454-2882 for more information.

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