2025 Champions of the Blackstone Awards: Recognize a Local Changemaker
Nominate a Local Hero: 2025 Champions of the Blackstone Awards Now Open
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Champions of the Blackstone Awards, which recognize individuals, students, volunteers, and organizations making a positive impact in the Blackstone River Valley.
Presented by the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, the Champions of the Blackstone Awards honor those who preserve local history, protect the environment, and strengthen communities across the region.
The deadline to submit a nomination is October 15, 2025. An awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, December 3 at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill in Whitinsville, MA.
About the Champions of the Blackstone Awards
Launched in 1999, the Champions of the Blackstone Awards celebrate outstanding contributors from across the 25 cities and towns that make up the National Heritage Corridor—including Blackstone and Millville.
Award categories include:
- John H. Chafee Heritage Award – For leadership in preserving heritage, protecting the environment, or enhancing community life
- Volunteer of the Year Award – For individuals who give their time and talent to Corridor programs
- Student of the Year Award – For youth making an impact through environmental or heritage efforts
- Partner of the Year Award – For organizations that have significantly contributed to the Corridor’s mission
Local Honorees from Blackstone and Millville
Over the years, several individuals and students from Blackstone and Millville have received Champions of the Blackstone Awards, including:
- Margaret M. Carroll of Millville was recognized in 2000. Town historian, educator, preservationist, and longtime advocate for the Blackstone River and Greenway
- Tiffany Shaw of Millville was recognized in 2003 as a student award recipient—an early example of the Corridor’s support for youth who promote cultural heritage or environmental conservation.
- Jim and Maggie Plasse of Blackstone received the award in 2006 for their dedicated work with the Blackstone River Watershed Association.
- Matthew Chamberlin, a student at Blackstone-Millville Regional High School, was honored in 2006 for his civic engagement and leadership.
Their contributions reflect the deep community spirit that continues to shape our towns and the Corridor as a whole.
Margaret Carroll’s Legacy Lives On
Crowning the list, Margaret M. Carroll was an exemplary Charter recipient of the John H. Chafee Heritage Award in 2000. Her service as a historian, and founding volunteer of the Corridor’s Volunteers-in-Parks program shaped civic pride and environmental stewardship in Millville. A ribbon-cutting ceremony in October 2022 formally dedicated a section of the Blackstone River Greenway in her name, marking tangible recognition of her legacy in the landscape she helped preserve.
Her story illustrates why the Champions of the Blackstone Awards matter—not just for recognition, but for honoring lasting contribution.
Why the Awards Matter to Our Community
These awards shine a spotlight on the people who quietly—and often tirelessly—work to preserve our natural beauty, our history, and community well‑being. From students to volunteers to local leaders, each nominee helps keep the Corridor’s legacy alive.
Blackstone and Millville have deep roots in the Corridor’s history—and these awards help connect that past to the everyday efforts shaping our future.
How to Nominate Someone
Anyone can submit a nomination. The process is simple and open to the public. Nominees can be individuals, students, volunteers, or partner organizations. All nominees will be recognized at the awards ceremony, and multiple recipients are selected annually.
Submit your nomination by October 15, 2025
At Small Town Post, we share stories that celebrate community, recognize local pride, and connect people through purpose. The Champions of the Blackstone Awards are a powerful reminder that individual efforts—like those of Margaret Carroll and others—can shape the character of our towns for generations. Have a story, event, or local hero you think we should feature? Contact us anytime. You can also follow us on Facebook for regular updates.
We’re here to tell the stories that matter—because every small town has something big to share.
