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August 13, 2023

World War II Comes to the Valley

August 13, 2023
11:00am-3:00pm
Alternatives' Whitin Mill

Date: Sunday, August 13, 2023 

Time: 11 AM - 3 PM 

Address: 50-60 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA

Cost: FREE! 

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park and ValleyCAST will present an informative and interactive afternoon of history at Alternatives' Whitin Mill in Whitinsville, MA.  

During the 1940s, many workers in the Blackstone Valley mobilized to contribute to the war effort. In historic Whitinsville, MA, the Whitin Machine Works was transformed by the war, with changes in personnel and in the manufacturing focus. Come to the Whitin Mill to explore exhibits on manufacturing, see uniforms from the 1940s, and listen to The Company Bees, a duo who will perform music from the era. Rangers and partners will offer short lectures at 11:30am and 1:30pm inside the Singh Theater. Free, drop in activities from Battleship COVE will be available for kids throughout the day. 
 

Schedule of Events:

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Dennis H. Rice Community Plaza
Tables and activities – Battleship Cove and Submarine Force Museum

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center
Tables and exhibits from ValleyCAST, International War Museum, Hopedale Women’s History Project, Little Red Shop Museum, and Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park 

11:30 AM
GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center
Lecture - Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, “World War II Comes to the Valley”

1:00 PM
GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center
Lecture - Linda Hixon, Hopedale Women's History Project
“It was no soft job:” the Draper Corporation and World War II

2:00 - 3:00 PM
Dennis H. Rice Community Plaza
Performance by The Company Bees
 

Participating Partners:

ValleyCAST

Open Sky Community Services

Battleship Cove

Submarine Force Museum

International War Museum

Hopedale Women's History Project

Little Red Shop Museum

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

This event will also include a station with information on America the Beautiful and Federal Recreational Land passes. Rangers will be onsite to distribute passes for eligible veterans and active-duty military personnel. 
 


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