After 3-Year Closure, Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center Reopens

WORCESTER, MA — The Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center in Worcester reopened to the public Friday after a three-year closure.

The $26 million facility off McKeon Road opened in October 2018, part of a larger refurbishment of a former industrial site along the Blackstone River. The center closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic, and has barely been open since.

The visitor center will be managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, a nonprofit that oversees a cultural corridor between Worcester and Providence, was overseeing the center until DCR could take it over.

The center will operate under reduced hours compared to before the pandemic: Thursdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The center was previously open seven days per week.

The visitor's center features exhibits and artifacts exploring the Blackstone River's industrial and cultural histories, both before and after the arrival of colonists. The center also serves as the start point of a 2-1/2 mile section of the Blackstone River Bikeway — one part of a planned bikeway between Worcester and Providence.

The heritage center has several events coming up this fall:

Bike the Blackstone
Sundays Sept. 3, 17; Oct. 1, 15 3 to 4 p.m.
Come along on a recreational bike ride down our 2.5-mile section of the Blackstone River Greenway (5 miles total). Enjoy the scenery, look out for wildlife, and come prepared with questions about the history and ecology of the Blackstone River. Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 12 and above.

All Roads Lead to Worcester
Mondays, 9 to 10 a.m.
Take a one-mile stroll along the Blackstone River Greenway, which weaves between the former canal, the railroad and bustling roads. Learn how Worcester’s development into an industrial city went hand in hand with its growth as a regional transportation hub. Meet at the Millbury Main Street Parking Area, 205 North Main St., Millbury. Appropriate for ages 6 and up.

Kidleidoscope
Thursdays 10 to 11 a.m.
Join us each week for Kidleidoscope! We will read a short book, followed by a light outdoor activity or hike. Afterwards, enjoy a kid-friendly craft that relates to the story. Each week has a new theme, so stop by often! Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 3 to 6. Siblings are welcome.

Worcester: From Small Town to Heart of the Commonwealth
Fridays and Saturdays 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Join us on a tour of the Visitor Center’s exhibit hall! Learn how the Blackstone Canal helped transform Worcester from a sleepy county seat to a thriving industrial city and hub for immigration and innovation. Take time to check out our interactive displays and other exhibits as well! Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 6 and up.