Here is what is happening at Heritage State Park in Fall River this September

Here is what is happening at Heritage State Park in Fall River this September. All programs are free and open to the public, unless specifically stated. The Visitor Center is located at 200 Davol Street in the Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. Memorial Building. Free parking is available in the DCR Lot at 5 Water Street in Fall River. An adult must accompany children. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. For more information call (508) 675-5759 x 0. Please follow all current COVID guidelines. Visit Mass.gov/COVID.

Monday, September 5

NATURE WALK ALONG THE BOARDWALK
1:00 pm—2:00 pm, meet at Visitor Center Lobby
Take a guided discovery walk along the boardwalk with local naturalist Ellenor Simmons. Find out what lives in and around the river, what birds are flying overhead —and why they live there! No dogs please. Strollers welcome. All ages. Rain cancels.

Saturday, September 10 & Sunday, September 11

FILM TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN THOMAS J. HUDNER
11:00 am & 1:00 pm, Visitor Center Theater
On the anniversary of the dedication of the Captain Thomas J. Hudner Memorial Building, learn about the amazing life of Captain Hudner. Hudner, a Fall River native, was an officer in the United States navy and a naval aviator. He rose to the rank of captain and received the Congressional Medal of honor for his actions in trying to save the life of his squadron mate Ensign Jesse L. Brown, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War. We are offering two short films that tell Captain Hudner’s story in his own words. You are welcome to join us in our air-conditioned theater. For ages 12+ years. Total running time of the two films: 25 minutes.

Daily September 11 thru October 15

EXHIBIT: NOT SO FAMOUS WORKS BY SHEILA OLIVEIRA
8:00 am– 4:00 pm, Visitor Center Lobby
This season we have been delighted to present the magic of Fall River native Sheila Oliveira and her original paintings. Sheila engaged thousands of visitors with her unique, inspired images of icons of local history: Weetamo, King Phillip, Sarah Anna Lewis, Elizabeth Buffam Chace, Emeril Lagasse, Marquis deLafayette, Henry Martyn Robert, and composer Joe Raposo. We are thrilled to share them with you! Thanks to the Fall River Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council for support of this exhibit.

Sunday, September 18

FAMED AND FRAMED FALL RIVER ICONS: MEET THE ARTIST, SHEILA OLIVEIRA
2:00 pm—3:00 pm, Visitor Center Lobby
Please join us for a very special insight into the creative process of artist Sheila Oliveira and learn the history behind each of her historic icons. Artist Sheila Oliveira’s eight portraits of icons of local history are her interpretations using written and image resources. Learn more Fall River history through the work of a gifted artist.

Ongoing Thursdays through Sundays

FILM: THE FABRIC OF FALL RIVER
11:30 am & 1:30 pm, 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. Run-time: 34 minutes.

Daily Until September 10

EXHIBIT: LEGOS® & INSECTS & BIRDS, OH MY!
8:00 am—4:00 pm, Visitor Center Lobby
Our lobby has been invaded by Legos® of insects and birds. They are here to teach us about the world of pollinators and their importance to the world’s survival. How many types of bees can you name and why are they important? This exhibit is in collaboration with the Creative Arts Network (CAN). Did you know that Fall River Heritage has its own Pollinator Garden? Feel free to visit it along the Boardwalk. Want to learn more? Ask at the Front Desk for your very own screening of our short film on Pollinators in the Park. Suitable for all ages.

Daily Until September 10

EXHIBIT: A GLIMPSE INTO PORTUGUESE- AMERICAN
IMMIGRATION
8:00 am– 4:00 pm, Visitor Center Lobby
Bristol County is home to the largest concentration of Portuguese-Americans in the United States. Through photographs, rare newspaper articles, and other insightful documents, this exhibit offers a glimpse into the experience of the region’s dominant ethnic community. This exhibit is on loan from the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese American Archives at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Fall River Heritage State Park also features a monument to local Portuguese-American poet Joao Teixeira de Medeiros in the meadow.

Daily Until September 10

EXHIBIT: SING! THE SESAME STREET® WORLD OF COMPOSER JOE RAPOSO
8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Visitor Center Lobby
Celebrate the creative genius of a local hero: Joseph Guilherme Raposo, the son of Azorean immigrants who went to Harvard College, studied music, and became one of the creators of Sesame Street®. Fall River is proud to honor Joe Raposo with a collaboration between Fall River Heritage State Park, Creative Arts Network, and the Greater Fall River Arts Association.