FW: Heritage Landscape Inventory Program to Start in Five RI Communities

The Heritage Landscape Inventory Project: Identifying the Blackstone Valley's Important Landscapes Greetings! A Glocester Farm The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission (BRVNHCC) and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) will be working with five communities in the Blackstone Valley -- Burrillville, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield and Smithfield -- to identify heritage landscapes in the region.  Heritage landscapes are those special places that help define the character of every community. A multi-disciplinary consulting team will help identify and evaluate each town's heritage landscapes and provide recommendations for their protection.  "The Blackstone Valley is well-known for its factories and mill villages, but also boasts important agricultural landscapes, cemeteries and village centers - all of which contribute to the area's special sense of place" Jan H. Reitsma, Executive Director of the BRVNHCC, said. "This program provides communities with the opportunity to increase public awareness of the significance - and fragility - of these resources."   Edward Sanderson, Executive Director of the RIHPHC, added: "The heritage landscapes survey is a wonderful example of how Preservation is Local, bringing communities together to recognize those historic places that give their town its special character and to identify the steps they can take to protect them." Plan on attending one of the meetings listed below and bring your best suggestions on the cultural and natural landscapes you want to save! Thursday, May 13, 6:30 - 8:30 North Smithfield Kendall Dean School 83 Greene Street Thursday, May 20, 7:00 - 9:00  Burrillville Planning Department Building 144 Harrisonville Main Street Monday, May 24, 6:00 - 8:00  Lincoln Town Hall, 100 Old River Road Wednesday, May 26, 7:00 - 9:00  Glocester Town Hall 1145 Putnam Pike Thursday, June 10, 6:30 - 8:30  Smithfield Town Hall 64 Farnum Pike   Community members, including residents, landowners, municipal volunteers and others interested in preserving the character of their community, are encouraged to attend.    More information about the BRVNHCC can be found at: www.nps.gov/blac/index and the RIHPHC at www.preservation.ri.gov. For more information, please contact Joanna Doherty at 401-762-0250 x-14 or e-mail her at joanna_doherty@nps.gov.