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

SCAVENGER HUNT FOR HISTORY LETS PLAYERS EXPLORE SIX HISTORICAL SITES
Game is part of Footsteps in History Columbus Day Weekend

LINCOLN, R.I., (October 2, 2006) – A group of six historic sites in the Great Road Historic District area are teaming up to sponsor the “Scavenger Hunt for History,” a game for children and adults, which will put players’ knowledge of history to the test. Those who visit all the sites and find all the clues will get a secret reward. The Scavenger Hunt and tours of the sites will take place on Sunday, October 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. as part of the Footsteps in History Weekend in the Blackstone Valley.

Players will be given a set of clues and search for items on six historical sites in Lincoln including, Hearthside, Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, Northgate and the Arnold Bakery, Valentine Whitman House, Saylesville Friends Meetinghouse Cemetery and the Wilbur Kelly House.

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.

“We look forward to the Footsteps in History weekend again. This year, Lincoln’s historic sites have decided to make it even more fun and interesting for the visitors by holding a Scavenger Hunt,” said Kathryn Hartley, president of Friends of Hearthside, Inc. “It’s the result of a combined effort of six different historical sites, and it’s a delight to see children and adults alike, have fun exploring the history of the Valley.”

Over 300 years of history will be covered during the Scavenger Hunt. The 19th century may be experienced at the Hearthside Mansion, 677 Great Road, where guides in Victorian costume help set the stage for what life was like in the late 1800’s. Colonial life in the 18th century is featured at the Valentine Whitman House (circa 1694) at the opposite end of Great Road, one of Lincoln’s oldest houses. Children will be amazed to see how nails were made from steel during hand forging demonstrations at the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop at Chase Farm Park. The Wilbur Kelly House, located along the Blackstone River and Blackstone Canal in Quinnville, unlocks the mystery of how canals operated. The Saylesville Friends Meetinghouse Cemetery on Great Road has one of the town’s oldest cemeteries containing the graves of Lincoln’s founding families. Visit Northgate and the Arnold Bakery on Louisquisset Pike at the Lime Quarry, now home to the Blackstone Valley Historical Society, and see an original turnpike toll house and sample some tollhouse cookies at the original 1800’s Arnold Bakery. Maps to the different sites may be picked up at Hearthside, and all sites will have the game forms. All sites have free admission, however donations are welcomed.

Here is how the Scavenger Hunt works: Players should stop by at any of the sites listed and pick up their game form, which will list a number of clues. To find the answers to the clues about the history of the different sites, they will need to visit each one of the sites and pay attention as they take their tour. When they correctly identify each answer to the clues, they will be given a token and the game form will be stamped. All those who complete the six tours and correctly identify all the clues will be rewarded with a prize.

Hearthside has the honor of being selected as the site to host the Kickoff Reception on October 3 for the Footsteps in History Preserve America Weekend. Senator Lincoln Chafee will give remarks about the preservation legacy of his father, John H. Chafee, for which the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is named. Wendy Nicholas, Northeast Director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will deliver the keynote address. The kickoff reception will be held at Hearthside, 677 Great Road in Lincoln, RI from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited. For information on Lincoln’s Footsteps in History events, call 334-2209 or visit www.hearthsidehouse.org. The Great Road Historic District is located at the intersection of Route 123 and Breakneck Hill Road.

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.

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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