The Blackstone Valley Travel Guide

America's Industrial Revolution began in this region north of Providence in 1790, when the power of the Blackstone River, which runs south from Worcester, Massachusetts, was first harnessed at Pawtucket. The advent of water-powered factory mills along the 45-mi river catapulted a young agricultural United States into the Industrial Age. In the 1800s, Pawtucket and Woonsocket became large cities as a steady flow of French, Irish, and Eastern European immigrants came to work the mills, a system of canals and later railroads came into being as distribution channels, and the local industry grew. Much of that industry is gone, and the old mills are slowly being renovated into condominiums, offices, and gallery space. The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor provides a backdrop to museums, historic villages, and country drives. Most of the Blackstone Valley experience is about taking in the history of the area, understanding its importance in the country's growth, and enjoying the slices of Americana it has to offer.