EFFORTS TO RESTORE the vitality of the Blackstone River Valley are apparent across its landscape. In its history, the valley that was a pioneer of renewable energy (via waterpower) and understood the principles of sustainability eventually lost its focus even as it helped bring America to world-leader status by helping to start the nation’s industrialization.

With the success of manufacturing in the Blackstone River Valley in textiles, machinery, jewelry and other industries, the valley turned away from protecting the Blackstone and subsequently let it become a catch-all for chemicals, dyes, metals, sewage and eventually household goods and automobiles. Anything that was not wanted went into the river, or on its banks. This abuse continued long into the 20th Century.

However, at the start of the 21st Century, the Blackstone River is a story of rebirth. A new way of looking at this landscape has been under way since 1972, when Project ZAP brought 10,000 Rhode Island residents to the river to start removing its reputation as a sewer.

The Blackstone Valley is now recognized on a global level for its work in sustainable tourism development. In February the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, in its 23rd year of work, was named a finalist for the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Award in sustainable tourism. Two years ago the United Nations World Tourism Organization certified the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council in tourism governance.

Focused on thoughtful whole-place tourism development, which began in the early 1980s, programs are taking hold in every valley community. Today, visitors increasingly seek places that seem authentic. A real American story is what domestic and international visitors seek and find in the valley. Residents and businesses seek a place that has historical meaning, not a contrived, cute landscape looking like a theme park.

The residents of the Blackstone Valley are working hard to ensure that its landscape serves residents, businesses and visitors.

Some big achievements in livability include a cleaner, fishable river, with easy physical access to the stream in Lincoln, Cumberland, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Woonsocket and North Smithfield. Over $250 million in high-quality-housing conversions of former textile mills now offer new places to work and live. An 18-mile long Blackstone River State Park, hosting the Blackstone River Bikeway and the Blackstone Canal between Pawtucket and North Smithfield, is nearing completion. And there’s the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, with National Park Service Rangers providing interpretation of the valley’s place in American history. Each Columbus Day weekend the valley hosts the popular Footsteps in History open house.

The whole-place strategy of community regeneration has created a platform for economic development.

In Pawtucket, along with the Slater Mill Historic Site, there is the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, the centerpiece of the downtown-revitalization effort. Over 100 artist studios and galleries have opened, Slater Park has been revitalized and the Ten Mile River Bike path is complete. The Pawtucket Arts Festival, the Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival, Hope Artiste Village, Rivers Day, the Columbian Independence Day Celebration, the Gamm Theater, a restored Looff Carousel, an expanded McCoy Stadium, Christmas at the Park and Winter Wonderland at Slater Memorial Park, Mixed Magic Theater and the Pawtucket Arts Exchange all symbolize a healthy, dynamic community.

In Central Falls, the Central Falls Landing, the Samuel Slater Canal Boat, the 49-passenger Blackstone Valley Explorer, Pierce Park and River Island Park along the Blackstone River open the Blackstone River to thousands of visitors each year. Now Broad Street is the focus of a regeneration effort to enhance its social, economic and built fabric though Cumberland, Central Falls and Pawtucket.

In Cumberland, consider the Valley Falls Heritage Park, Diamond Hill Vineyards, the Blackstone River Theater, William Blackstone Park, the New Dawn Earth Center, the Celtic Festival, Blackstone Valley Outfitters, the Polar Express and the Blackstone Valley Scenic Railway Excursions through the Blackstone Valley and the annual Cumberlandfest event.

In Lincoln, the Hearthside Mansion, the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, the Chase Farm, the Moffitt Mill, the Kelly House Museum, the Valentine Whitman House, the Eleazer Arnold House, the Lonsdale Marsh Restoration, the Blackstone River State Park Bikeway and Visitor Center and the Covered Bridge at Lincoln Woods State Park tell the story of the valley’s history.

In Glocester, the Heritage Park, with hundreds of acres of open space, the Ruben Mason House-Dorr Rebellion Museum, Glocester Heritage Days, the Chepachet River Park, the Brown and Hopkins Country Store and the Job Armstrong Store are rich parts of the Blackstone heritage.

In Burrillville, consider the Bridgeton School, the Burrillville Historical Society and the expanded historic Spring Lake lakefront. Meanwhile, Grace Note Farm offers an 18th-Century farm experience, and visitors can walk the Pascoag Riverwalk in this wonderful New England village.

In North Smithfield, there are the Great Pumpkin Festival, Homestead Gardens, the restored, 19th Century John Slater Mill, the historic Forestdale schoolhouse and Grange Hall.

In Smithfield, there is the 18th Century Smith-Appleby House, the Rhode Island Audubon Society headquarters and the Powder Mill Refuge Wildlife Area. And Bryant University hosts the Rhode Island Chinese New Year celebration.

In Woonsocket, there are the Museum of Work and Culture, the elegant Stadium Theater, the French Farmers Market, the Woonsocket River Landing, St. Ann’s Arts and Cultural Center, the American French Genealogical Society, the Pillsbury House Bed and Breakfast, the Riverfront Main Street Initiative, the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission offices and the Autumnfest celebration, all providing a context for the Blackstone’s story.

The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has created the Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development Laboratory to bring the valley’s lessons to a wider audience. The laboratory is sharing the stories of how the valley has moved from early industry and long-term pollution to a healthy, sustainable community using development principles based on its cultural, environmental and historical resources.

Much has been completed, but more needs to be done to improve the valley’s historic, cultural, recreational, environmental and economic resources for future generations.

Robert Billington is president of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.