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A Cultural and Recreational Initiative Unveiling the Hidden Path and History of the Quequechan River
Echoes of the Falling River is a multi-site cultural and recreational initiative aimed at unveiling and celebrating the hidden path and history of the Quequechan River in Fall River, Massachusetts. The Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition (FRACC) and Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe, along with numerous community partners, will host a free inaugural event during ArtWeek SouthCoast on May 17, 2025. The event will feature a 3.5-mile walking and biking trail tracing the now-culverted Quequechan River, spanning 10 sites from Crab Pond (Ponta Delgada Blvd) to South Watuppa Pond. The trail will combine outdoor exploration with educational and interactive elements, offering participants a dynamic and engaging experience that highlights the river's significance.
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Sponsorship will support the completion of the trail’s accessibility components and the inaugural walk, led by a Pocasset Tribe member bringing historical and cultural context to life. To ensure accessibility, trolley services will accommodate individuals with mobility challenges. Maps will complement an audio-guide and will be available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Funding will also support the creation of signage, wayfinding markers, and printed educational guides designed to be inclusive for individuals with sensory and physical disabilities.​
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Participants will embark on a self-guided or guided tour along the trail, featuring storytelling and firsthand accounts about the natural landscape and the contributions of the Pocasset people to Fall River. The tour will be marked by wayfinding markers, an audio-guide, and an online interactive map. Efforts like the Alfred J. Lima Quequechan River Rail Trail have reclaimed parts of the river, and the project will engage residents and visitors in outdoor recreation and Fall River’s rich history for years to come.
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Long-term goals include ongoing tours, educational programming, and partnerships with local organizations after the inaugural event. Anticipated outcomes include increasing local tourism, enhancing community engagement, and creating educational opportunities for students. Echoes of the Falling River aims to foster a deeper connection to Fall River, benefiting residents and visitors alike.
Partners and Sponsors
Echoes of the Falling River was awarded a Spatial Justice Grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts, one of 15 recipients chosen from 88 applicants. This recognition validates the project’s focus on equity and inclusion in public spaces and highlights our commitment to creating a more accessible and inclusive cultural landscape.
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The project focuses on documenting the history of the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe, a branch of the Wampanoag Nation that originally inhabited the area now known as Fall River, with the Quequechan River, meaning "Falling River" in Wampanoag, playing a central role in their culture and livelihood.
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Viva Fall River lead the promotion and coordination of the free inaugural public walk for Echoes of the Falling River, featuring historical insights from a Pocasset Tribe member. Viva will work with community partners to also ensure accessibility, offering an interactive map and audio guide with accommodations for sensory and physical disabilities.
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The research phase for Echoes of the Falling River, supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts and led by Robyn Worthington, Associate Professor of History at Bristol Community College, is currently underway.
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The inaugural guided tour will take place during ArtWeek SouthCoast, an annual 10-day festival celebrating creativity across the region. Originally launched as SouthCoast SpringArts in 2021, the festival continues the legacy of the statewide ArtWeek MA initiative and is supported by communities in Fall River, New Bedford, and surrounding towns.