Providence, RI- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park will once again offer its annual winter lecture series discussing the Blackstone Valley’s role as an incubator for revolutionary thought and action. In partnership with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, lectures will be offered virtually using Zoom. This six-part series will cover a variety of topics including labor reform, ethnic religion and politics, the cotton economy, and architecture. Presentations begin on Saturday afternoons at 2:00 PM. Lectures will be offered on Jan. 23, February 6, Feb. 20, March 6, March 20, and April 3. These lectures are free and open to the public. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. You can register at https://bit.ly/RevolutionInTheAir.
“We are excited to offer this lectures series again this year," Ranger Mark Mello explains. “We are working in partnership with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in order to offer these programs virtually this year. This is a great example of how critical our partners are to helping us with our mission."
Academics, independent historians, and park staff will discuss the cotton economy, ethnic religion and politics, and labor reform. Dr. Manisha Sinha from the University of Connecticut, Dr. Evelyn Sterne from the University of Rhode Island, and Dr. Jane Lancaster are among this year’s presenters.
“As we anticipate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence in 2026, we hope these lectures will provoke the public to think about what it means to live in an ever-evolving democracy here in the United States," continued Ranger Mello. “In many ways, the Blackstone Valley shaped our nation in both positive and negative ways."
“We have a great lineup of some of the leading historians in the field this year as well as our dedicated park staff. We are very excited to provide a public forum to discuss these topics which helped to shape the Blackstone River Valley and continue to resonate today," said Supervisory Park Ranger Kevin Klyberg.
A full listing of the lectures can be found on our website, www.nps.gov/blrv or on our Facebook page, www.fb.com/BlackstoneNPS. For other inquiries or additional information, contact Ranger Kevin Klyberg: e-mail us or at 401-428-3816.
Schedule:
Jan. 23, 2021: STRIKE! Hopedale 1913, Allison Horrocks and Mark Mello, Park Ranger Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
February 6, 2021: Slavery, Abolition, and the Rise of Industrial Capitalism, Manisha Sinha, Professor University of Connecticut
Feb. 20,2021: King Midas’s Curse, Andrew Schnetzer, Park Ranger New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
March 6, 2021: Ethnic Politics and the Catholic Church in Rhode Island, Professor University of Rhode Island
March 20, 2021: Was there “One Best Way"?, Jane Lancaster, Independent Historian
April 3, 2021: Cotton River-lution: The Blackstone’s Role in the Booming New England Cotton Economy, Allison Meyette, AmeriCorps Vista, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Tags: blrv lecture series revolution virtual series revolution 250
Virtual Winter Lecture Series 2021
Join us for our 2021 Virtual Winter Lecture Series - "Revolution in the Air." Click here for more information and how to register.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
