Heritage State Park honors Black History Month, local icons
FALL RIVER — Heritage State Park is offering special programs to commemorate Black History Month, celebrate local icons, and dig into the personal stories behind local history.
All programs are free and open to the public.
The Visitor Center is located at 200 Davol St. in the Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. Memorial Building.
Free parking is available in the DCR parking lot at 5 Water St.
An adult must accompany children. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.
For more information, call 508-675-5759, Ext. 0. Follow all current COVID guidelines. Visit Mass.gov/COVID.
The Visitor Center will close for the season on Saturday, March 18, but will re-open in early April.
February and March programs at Heritage State Park:
"Sing!" The Sesame Street World of Composer Joe Raposo
Daily, Feb. 1 through March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Visitor Center
Time to celebrate the creative genius of a local hero: Joseph Guilherme Raposo, the son of Azorean immigrants who was born in Fall River, went to Harvard College, studied music, and became one of the creators of Sesame Street. Drop in and take a photo with an image of Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster or many of their friends. See Heritage State Park's exhibit on the life of Joe Raposo with his friends Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, President Jimmy Carter, First Lady Nancy Reagan and so many more! The Visitor Center will host sing-a-long StoryWalks of his books “Sing” and “Imagination Song.” Fun activities for the whole family.
Lewis Hine's Fall River: In Living Color
Daily, Feb. 1 through March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Visitor Center
The photography of Lewis Wickes Hine focused on the harsh labor conditions in the textile industry and the exploitation of child and women workers. When those black and white images are colorized and enhanced, it adds an entire new dimension to these remarkable photos. Experience the world of Lewis Hine’s Fall River with new eyes. This is an exhibit in progress; witness it as it evolves. Savor the insightful captions from the Library of Congress. Hine created over 200 images of Fall River.
Freedom's Agenda: African-American Petitions to the Massachusetts Government, 1600–1900
Daily, Feb. 1 through March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Lobby Gallery, Visitor Center, a Black History Month event
The “right of free petition,” where any citizen of Massachusetts can petition the state legislature, is one of our state’s most cherished political traditions. As this exhibit reveals, from abolition to desegregation and voting rights, the Commonwealth has shaped American society. This special exhibit is on loan from the Commonwealth Museum in Boston, courtesy of the Secretary of State.
Behind the Scenes Featurettes: A Tribute to Captain Thomas J. Hudner & Ensign Jesse L. Brown
Daily, Feb. 1 through March 10, at 10 a.m., Visitor Center Theater, a Black History Month event
BEHIND THE SCENES FEATURETTES: A TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN THOMAS J. HUDNER & ENSIGN JESSE L. BROWN
10:00 am, Visitor Center Theater
Discover the true story behind the theatrical hit film “Devotion” and the amazing friendship of Fall River’s own Captain Thomas J. Hudner and his navy partner Ensign Jesse Brown, the first Black naval pilot. Heritage State Park is honored to offer five featurettes that go behind the scenes and tell their story. Join them in their comfortable theater. For ages 12 and up. Total running time of the films: 40 minutes. Accessible.
Film: Safe Houses: Fall River and the Underground Railroad
Daily, Feb. 1 through March 10, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Visitor Center Theater, a Black History Month event
Discover the hidden history of Fall River and its role in the Underground Railroad. See the houses and streets that welcomed escaped formerly enslaved people. Learn about the abolitionists of Fall River, especially the women, who opened the gates of freedom and their homes in this 20-minute film. Shown in Heritage State Park's warm and comfortable theater. For ages 12 and older. Accessible.
Film: The Fabric of Fall River
Daily, at 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., Visitor Center Theater
Discover Fall River’s rich past through this classic documentary that showcases the history of Fall River, from the First People through the cotton mill era, to the needle trades of the 1980s. For ages 8 and up. Run-time: 34 minutes. Accessible.
Permanent exhibits and programs at Heritage State Park
Tracing The Threads Exhibit
Daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Visitor Center
Explore this permanent exhibit celebrating the cultural, ethnic and industrial history of Fall River. Learn about the waterfalls that shaped the city, enabled its industries, and even gave it its name. Share the stories of the many ethnic groups from around the world who called this city home.
Faces of Fall River
Daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, Visitor Center Gallery
Meet the people of Fall River’s past through a gallery of classic black and white photographs from the textile era. Featured are photos by labor activist and photographer Lewis Hine. Photos include the immigrant women, men and children who worked the mills that made Fall River the premiere textile city in America. These are the photographs that inspired change in American labor laws and helped abolish child labor.
People, Ambiton and Hard Work
Daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Visitor Center, self-guided
A Portuguese-American poet, a beloved local entrepreneur, a decorated military hero, and a visionary state legislator all have their names enshrined in Fall River Heritage Park. Who were these people and how did they inspire others through their vision, ambition, and hard work? This is a short self-guided walking tour of the landmarks named for these pioneers. Information is available at the Front Desk.
Water + Granite + Gravity= Fall River
Daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Visitor Center, self-guided
Fall River was once the third largest city in Massachusetts, with thriving factories and bustling piers on its waterfront. Without the water of the Taunton and Quequechan Rivers, the granite cliffs, and the power of gravity and the waterfalls that they produced, there would be no Fall River. The park highlights this legacy with seven granite way finders that commemorate the industry through time. This is a 30-minute self-guided walk through waterfront history connecting the way finders. Information is available at the Front Desk.
Creation Station Activities
Weekly, Fridays through Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Get creative! Stop by the Visitor Center and grab coloring sheets of moments in Fall River History. Learn about textiles and calico and help the park complete their calico stamp wall or even weave a row on the community loom. If you complete an entire row, you too can add your name tag! Origami, anyone? This is a drop-in program. Stay for the duration or drop in for a few moments. For all ages.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Black History Month events at Fall River's Heritage State Park
