This past weekend I participated as a volunteer assistant tour guide with Tour Blackstone Valley. This is an annual event that seeks to get native Rhode Islanders out of their bubble and out into a new area to experience and learn. In past years, it was called "TourRI" and there were upwards of 26 different tour packages that could be chosen. This year because of whatever reason, it was only the Blackstone Valley that participated, and there were only 7 tours. Two years ago I volunteered and went on the Block Island tour. It was pretty awesome.
This year my tour was "The Blackstone Valley Sampler," and we were able to visit some various sights across the valley. As the assistant tour guide, I made sure that everyone was on the bus, given their gift bags, had any questions answered, got the right lunch, and received the information packets. We had about 38 tour participants on my tour this year.
The first stop was High-On-A-Hill Herb Farm. It is a lovely farm in the middle of North Smithfield. They grow many herbs, keep bees, have a kennel, and offer various educational classes through the year. They were kind enough to offer us snacks of delicious home made muffins and tea. Then we sat for a short presentation on bee keeping that was fascinating! I never knew that bee keeping was so involved. It was a great stop, and everyone enjoyed being outside for the lovely weather.
Our second stop was to the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center in Woonsocket, RI. This is the home to the largest collection of fresco paintings in North America, and is also known as the "Sistene Chapel of America." We had a tour of the building and they explained the history. The coolest thing was that all the faces in the paintings are modeled after real people who were members of the church at the time. It was quite a beautiful place.
The third stop was the Woonsocket Museum of Work and Culture. (At this point I am almost starting to become enamored with Woonsocket. But dont tell anyone about that.) Anyway, this museum focused on the immigration of the French Canadians into Woonsocket and the industries that resulted. Who knew it would be so interesting? It seemed like a great place for kids and adults alike.
Next we went to a historical "Stone Ender" built in the 1700's in Lincoln, RI. Having never heard that term before, I was intrigued. As we approached the Valentine Whitman House, I could see the reason behind its name. The whole end of the house was made out of stone. There is some historical significance to this, but I think you will have to visit the house to learn more :)
Our last stop of the tour was The Captain Wilbur Kelly House, situated by a preserved section of the historic Blackstone Canal Tow Path in the Village of Ashton (Cumberland/Lincoln Line). I loved learning about how the canal was built (I love canals, after all I am from Lockport NY- a canal lovers haven!). We were given a tour by one of Rhode Island's leading historians. Then we walked through the house and looked at all the displays. Good stuff!
We finished the tour around 4pm and headed back to the home base. The day was extremely fun and I learned so much. The tour guide for our trip was awesome, I met so many wonderful people, explored cool places in RI, and loved the experience of "working the tour."
This year my tour was "The Blackstone Valley Sampler," and we were able to visit some various sights across the valley. As the assistant tour guide, I made sure that everyone was on the bus, given their gift bags, had any questions answered, got the right lunch, and received the information packets. We had about 38 tour participants on my tour this year.
The first stop was High-On-A-Hill Herb Farm. It is a lovely farm in the middle of North Smithfield. They grow many herbs, keep bees, have a kennel, and offer various educational classes through the year. They were kind enough to offer us snacks of delicious home made muffins and tea. Then we sat for a short presentation on bee keeping that was fascinating! I never knew that bee keeping was so involved. It was a great stop, and everyone enjoyed being outside for the lovely weather.
Next we went to a historical "Stone Ender" built in the 1700's in Lincoln, RI. Having never heard that term before, I was intrigued. As we approached the Valentine Whitman House, I could see the reason behind its name. The whole end of the house was made out of stone. There is some historical significance to this, but I think you will have to visit the house to learn more :)
Our last stop of the tour was The Captain Wilbur Kelly House, situated by a preserved section of the historic Blackstone Canal Tow Path in the Village of Ashton (Cumberland/Lincoln Line). I loved learning about how the canal was built (I love canals, after all I am from Lockport NY- a canal lovers haven!). We were given a tour by one of Rhode Island's leading historians. Then we walked through the house and looked at all the displays. Good stuff!
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