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Blackstone Heritage Corridor Announces John H. Chafee Heritage Award Recipients

Local Sutton Resident Ross Weaver Among Recipients
Posted on: April 11, 2022 - 8:54pm
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The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor announced the recipients of its 2021 John H. Chafee Heritage Awards: Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02); U.S. Senator Jack Reed (RI); John Marsland of Cumberland, RI; Ross Weaver of Sutton, MA; and a class of Painting and Design Technology students at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT).  

Created by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the John H. Chafee Heritage Award honors the late Senator’s legacy and recognizes individuals, groups, or students who have worked on projects that promote cultural heritage, environmental conservation, and the quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley. Past years’ recipients have celebrated community leaders, preservation heroes, business partners, environmental advocates, and students whose achievements resulted in public benefit. These heroes have demonstrated the Valley’s long tradition of leadership and inspiration. 

At a ceremony held at Blackstone Valley Tech on April 11th, BHC’s Board Chair Richard T. Moore presented the prestigious Chafee Award to Congressman McGovern, a class of Painting and Design Technology students at BVT, and Ross Weaver. On April 22nd, John Marsland received his award at the premiere of “Kittacuck Speaks” at Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI. Marsland co-directed the short film that tells the story of the Blackstone River. A ceremony for Senator Reed will take place later this spring. 

Sutton Town Manager James Smith nominated Ross Weaver to receive the 2021 John H. Chafee Heritage Award for his gravestone conservation work in Sutton’s historical cemeteries. “Ross has become Sutton’s unsung hero in our rural world of cemetery conservation,” Smith noted. “He has led a group of 18 dedicated volunteers who have logged nearly 1,000 volunteer hours, and collectively they have made amazing progress in local historical cemetery conservation. He has worked tirelessly to preserve our cemeteries while promoting cultural heritage.” 

Nominations for the 2022 John H. Chafee Heritage Award will be posted later this year. To learn more about the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, visit BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.