Join Us for the Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, July 31: The American Civil War & General Ambrose Burnside – A Misunderstood General, A Walking Tour of Burnside's Providence

General Ambrose Burnside was a very prominent Rhode Islander with a much maligned Civil War past. Yet, is what we know about General Burnside really true? Civic minded, an elected Governor and an entrepreneur, but the reputation as a very bad general. Is it true? Is it fair?

Join Ranger Chuck Arning and Greg Mierka, Civil War Historian, to learn more about this fascinating man.

Parking: This program will begin at the Roger Williams National Memorial at 282 North Main St., Providence. Use the Memorial's parking area (the entrance is at the corner of Canal Street and Smith Street). There is also parking along North Main Street.

View full Walkabout schedule (through August 28)

Join Us for the Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, July 24: H. P. Lovecraft Walk: A Writer in Providence

Famed horror writer H. P. Lovecraft (1890-1937) lived in Providence for most of his life, and he made the city the setting for some of his most popular works. Lovecraft also wrote thousands of letters, many of which have been published, which detail his love of his home city.

Join Sarah Zurier, a historian with the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission as she discusses H.P. Lovecraft's writings about Providence's rapidly changing cityscape and his attempts to make the case for preserving historic places.

Parking: This program will begin at 6:30 pm at the Roger Williams National Memorial, 282 North Main St., Providence. Use the Memorial's parking area (entrance at corner of Canal Street and Smith Street). Park is also available along North Main Street.

Join Us for the Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, July 17: The Story of William Blackstone: A Costumed Interpretation

The Reverend William Blackstone was the first permanent English settler of the River Valley that now bears his name.

Ranger John McNiff will appear at the Cumberland Library as the Reverend Blackstone in a costumed interpretation that will allow you to get a better understanding of the man known to some as the Sage of the Wilderness.

Parking: There is plenty of parking in the Cumberland Public Library parking lot, 1464 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI.

Join Us for the Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, July 10: Nine Men's Misery: King Phillip's War & the Blackstone Valley

King Phillip's War (1675-76) was fought between the Nipmuc, Wampanoag, and Narragansett Nations against the recently arrived English settlers. This war stretched across the Blackstone Valley, much of southeastern New England, and up into New Hampshire.

Join the National Park Service to learn about this conflict, and visit the earliest veterans' memorial established in the United States. This program includes a trail walk, please wear sturdy walking shoes. Walk will begin at the gazebo behind the Cumberland Library.

Parking: Plenty of parking is available in the Cumberland Public Library parking lot, 1464 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI.

Ranger Walkabout schedule (through August 28)

Join Us for The Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, June 26: A Walking Tour of the Civilian Conservation Camp at Upton State Forest

It was the "worse, hard time" ever - The Great Depression, thousands out of work and a nation in despair. Yet, America has always been a place where new ideas and new ways of thinking have gained traction. As a way to deal with the huge unemployment rolls and a despairing nation, Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps, and it changed everything.

Join Ranger Chuck Arning and Ellen Arnold, Friends of Upton State Forest, for a tour of one of the few remaining CCC camp sites and learn how these young men put their mark on the America we know today.

Parking: Park right by the camp inside Upton State Forest. Take the Westboro Road off the Hopkinton Street by Pratt Pond. Follow Westboro Road to park on right.

Ranger Walkabout schedule (through August 28)

Join Us for The Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, June 19: A Village Walk and Eco-Machine

Fisherville was once home to a mighty textile mill. Today, it is home to the Eco-Machine, a water treatment system that uses water plants and mycelium to break down the oil, chemicals and nitrates that have polluted the Blackstone Canal.

Join our partners from the Blackstone River Coalition at Mill Villages Park to learn more about the history of Fisherville and this new way of helping to protect and preserve the Blackstone Watershed.

This free program begins as 6:30 pm at Mill Villages Park, 61 Main Street (Rt. 122 A) Grafton, MA.

Join us for the Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, June 12 for The Village of Rockdale: The Typical Mill Village

The walking tour of Rockdale offers the visitor a wonderful mill village experience because the pieces of the typical mill village are all still here. Symmetry. Balance. A photographers delight.

Join Ranger Chuck Arning as the group explores what the Rhode Island System of Manufacturing looked and felt like in your typical mill village.

Parking: We will utilize the large parking area by St. Peter's Church, 39 Church Street, just off Rt. 122, Rockdale, Northbridge, MA.