Cumberland / Smithfield / North Smithfield
Cumberland
View of Ashton Village
William Blackstone chose wisely when he decided to build his home in what would become Cumberland, RI. Today, Cumberland blends the bustling mill villages of the valley with the rolling hills above.
Self-guided tour of Cumberland: Valley Falls Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)
Ashton Village
An example of a mid-19th century mill village, Ashton was built in 1867, as the Lonsdale Company expanded its operation. Today, much of the village, including brick worker housing and the massive mill, remains intact. Ashton is also an example of a successful redevelopment of mill infrastructure, and it is an entrance site to the Blackstone River Bikeway.
Read more about Ashton Village: www.en.wikipedia.org
Blackstone River Theatre
The mission of Blackstone River Theatre is to present the performing and visual arts; to offer arts education; and to preserve and support the cultural diversity and heritage of all types of traditional folk music, dance and visual arts, with an emphasis on those groups that settled in the Blackstone River Valley.
Read more about Blackstone River Theatre:
Diamond Hill Park
Named for its mile-long face of veined granite quartz, Diamond Hill provides a number of recreation opportunities. The view from the top of Diamond Hill, formerly a small ski slope, is spectacular. The park has athletic fields, a pond, and picnic area, as well as a number of hiking trails to explore.
Read more about Diamond Hill Park:
Monastery
The former Cistercian Monastery is now owned by the Town of Cumberland and used as a recreation area and home of the Cumberland Library. This was the site of Nine Men’s Misery, where nine English soldiers from Pierce’s Fight, a battle in 1676 during the King Philip’s War, were taken and tortured to death by Narragansett warriors.
Read more about the Monastery: www.cumberlandlibrary.org/monasterypage.htm
Valley Falls Heritage Park
Valley Falls is an educational park built on the ruins of Valley Falls Company Mill. Interpretive displays explain how the Blackstone River was harnessed to power factories, and the growth of the Valley Falls Mills and village.
Read more about Valley Falls Heritage Park:
William Blackstone Memorial Park
The small park was dedicated to the memory of William Blackstone, the first permanent English settler of the Blackstone Valley. Located near the site of his home, the park includes a memorial marker and interpretive panels (for your reading pleasure) about his life.
Smithfield
Smithfield was established out of Providence in 1731 and, until 1871, included what are now Central Falls, Lincoln, North Smithfield and half of Woonsocket. Modern Smithfield is a delightful combination of small mill villages, along the Woonasquatucket River and rolling hills, that once were farm fields.
Self-guided tour of Smithfield: Georgiaville Village Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)
Georgiaville
Georgiaville is a wonderful example of a mill village, including rare stone houses. Originally built by Zachariah Allen in his vision of an idealized mill village, the village retains many of those qualities today. Homestead Avenue, off Rt. 104.
Read more about Georgiaville: Georgiaville Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)
RI Audubon Society / Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
This 76-acre refuge contains some fine trails. The refuge is also the headquarters for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, as well as their education center here.
Read more about RI Audubon Society: www.asri.org
Smith-Appleby House Museum
Smith Appleby is a beautifully restored mid 18th century farmhouse, now operated by the Smithfield Historical Society. The museum began as a one-room stone-ender with a loft above. It was built (circa 1696) by Elisha Smith, the grandson of John Smith “The Miller,” a member of Roger Williams’ original party of six men who left the Massachusetts Bay Colony to settle in Providence.
Read more about Smith-Appleby House Museum: www.smithapplebyhouse.org
North Smithfield
It was along the Branch River, not the Blackstone, here in North Smithfield that America’s first mill village was built. Those mill villages still serve as the core centers of North Smithfield, even as it has continued to grow into a modern town.
Self-guided tour of North Smithfield: Slatersville Walking Tour Brochure (PDF)
Red School House
Also referred to as Forestdale Schoolhouse, this 1877 schoolhouse is home of the North Smithfield Heritage Association, and contains a meeting space, exhibits and their library.
Read more about Red School House:
Slatersville
Slatersville is the first planned industrial mill village in the United States. It was founded in 1807 when brothers Samuel and John Slater were looking for a site to build a mill where they would not have to compete with other employers for workers. To provide for their workers needs, the Slaters needed to provide housing, stores, churches and a school.
Read more about Slatersville:
Union Village
A delightful example of a turnpike village, Union Village retains much of its charm from the Federal Period. Union Village boomed from 1800-1820 when it was an important stagecoach stop on the route along Great Road. Along with taverns, Union Village was also home to a hat shop, an academy and the Union Bank, from which it gets its name.
Read more about Union Village: www.en.wikipedia.org