Park Visits 143-145: Blackstone River Valley NHP, Roger Williams NM; Tuoro Synagogue NHS, and New Bedford Whaling Museum NHP

Since we were visiting my sister in Connecticut yesterday, we decided to stay overnight and then spend the weekend finishing up our national park units in New England.

We left early to get to Blackstone River Valley National Historic Park in Rhode Island when they opened. We started at the northernmost part of the park, at the Kelly Mill. We met a wonderful docent who was so nice and helpful. This is a small house with new displays and activities about the importance of the Blackstone River Valley in the history of textile production in the area. The had a new item - a little passport book just for the locations in this park. So cute and fun!

Next we went to the southern part of the park to the Old Slater Mill site. This has a couple of mill buildings, old house, and waterfall that powered the mills. We did not do the tour but the main visitor center has a good video about the history and importance, and some good exhibits. Libby enjoyed herself playing with the cotton on display and charming everyone she met!

A short distance away was the Roger Williams National Memorial. This was an amazing site because, although ostensibly about Roger Williams, it's really dedicated to the IDEA of standing up for what you believe in, even when there is pressure to conform. Roger Williams became famous for creating a community that was more egalitarian than the norm for the time period. The Visitor Center is a small house with a short film and some very modern displays that make the links between Roger Williams actions and our time period.

Next, we drove south to Newport R.I. to visit the Tuoro Synagogue National Historic Site. Although it was closed for tours because it was a Saturday, we were able. This is the oldest existing U.S. synagogue, built in 1763. We toured the site and some of the surrounding areas that are from colonial times, or the Civil War period. A very intersting place to visit. 

Finally we headed back north to the New Bedford Whaling Museum National Historic Park. There is a large visitor's center with many rooms of exhibits about the importance of the maritime lifestyle, whaling, the underground railroad, and other information about the town and time period. Once again, Libby charmed the rangers while we toured the exhibits. Next we went down the street a bit to the New Bedford Whaling Museum. This was an amazing place with whale skeletons, ship models, scientific displays, lots of art, including a room of handicrafts from ivory. We spent a couple of hours here and we could have spent more. We also took a walk around the vicinity, down to the ferry terminal to Martha's Vineyward and Nantucket and back. Very historic and interesting area with lots of preserved buildings. 

We ended the day in Hyannis for our overnight stay. Libby and we had a wonderful time today. We were able to make so many connections to the things we learned today with other places we've been, such as Lowell, Edison, Springfield Armory, and Fire Island. This is one of the reasons I love the national park units - the way they help us see the big picture and trends in history. Tomorrow we are off to Cape Cod!