There was snow on the ground in Copake Falls this week, but spring weather is coming just in time for the reopening of Copake Iron Works in Columbia County, New York. The Copake Iron Works was established in 1845 at the base of the Taconic Ridge.
The ironworks operated from 1848 until 1903 and has long been recognized as one of the most complete rural ironworks in the four state Litchfield Iron District.
New York State acquired the abandoned works in 1926 when Taconic State Park was formed. In 2007, the ironworks and 18 acres surrounding the site were listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places.
The site includes a rare blast furnace, the blowing engine house, a machine shop with equipment still in place, the ironworkers’ duplex, the Carpenter-Gothic style office building, and the elegant residence of Isaac Chesbrough, one of the first ironmasters for the site.
Upcoming Events
Saturday – April 19th at 2pm – History in the Trees
Walk back in time on the Iron Works Heritage Trail and learn how iron production influenced the forest and how the forest helped shape the ironworks. Meet at the Copake Iron Works, 35 Valley View Road, Copake Falls. More information is available here.
Two Earth Day Events on Saturday, April 26th
10 am to 2 pm – Earth Day Celebration in Taconic State Park. Learn how nature and our community can stay healthy together. Crafts, games, nature facts, local groups, a food truck and more. A family friendly event. Your dog is welcome too. Activities take place in the upper parking lot, 253 Route 344, Copake Falls. More information is available here.
3 pm – Friends of Taconic State Park co-hosts “The Plastic Pollution Crisis (and What To Do About It!)” with special guest speaker Kristin Shevis, affectionately known as “the trash talker.” At the Copake Grange, 628 Empire Road, Copake. A collaboration with the Copake Grange and the Town of Copake Conservation Advisory Committee.
I Love My Park Day
Saturday, May 3rd at 10 am is an opportunity to help clean up the park, tidy the landscape, restore trails and wildlife habitat, remove invasive species, and work on various site improvement projects to help spruce up the park after a long winter. Register in advance here. Meet at the Park office, 253 State Route 344, Copake Falls. Bring your own gloves and your favorite hand tools. We will have a few ILMPD t-shirt first come, first served.
The Robin Bruce Museum and the Pomeroy Family Railroad
The Pomeroy Family Railroad at the Copake Iron Works resumes service on Memorial Day Weekend from 2 pm to 4 pm and runs every weekend and holiday thereafter until mid-October. No reservations required and rides are free.
The Copake Iron Works Museum also opens Memorial Day Weekend.
On Sunday, June 1st the site will dedicate the museum in memory of Robin Bruce, a founding board member and stalwart volunteer in the museum for years. Park at the Copake Iron Works, 35 Valley View Road, Copake Falls.
17th Annual Meeting and Luncheon with Troy Weldy, President, Columbia Land Conservancy
Sunday, July 27th at noon at the Iron Works will welcome Troy Weldy, president of the Columbia Land Conservancy. He will discuss the state of Columbia County’s forests including significant threats to their health and effective functioning, and provide information about how individual landowners can begin to assess the status of their own woodlots. Weldy has spent more than 25 years working in and studying the forests, fields and other natural spaces and creatures of New York State. Tickets are available now at eventbrite.
Volunteer Conductors Wanted!
Copke Iron Works is looking for volunteer conductors on the locomotive and two cars that carry up to 16 passengers around a 900 foot loop at about 5 miles per hour. Conductors will be trained in simple procedures to ensure the safety of the passengers and to provide interesting information about the sights seen along the route.
The site also needs greeters to help staff the Copake Iron Works Museum. No experience necessary and they’ll make sure you know the answer to the two most commonly asked questions: “Where’s the trail to Bash Bish Falls?” and “Where’s the porto-potty?”
Email them at info@friendsoftsp.org if you’re interested. Training will be provided.
Learn more about Taconic State Park and the Copake Iron Works here.
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