What’s New At The Old Copake Iron Works?

The Roeliff Jansen Historical Society will host “What’s New at the Old Copake Iron Works,” an illustrated lecture by Edgar M. Masters, on Sunday, May 15th at 2pm at the Society museum, 8 Miles Road in Copake Falls.

Masters’ program will begin with a look back at the Copake Iron Works in 2008 when Friends of Taconic State Park first began planning the preservation of the long derelict, but historically important, 19th century industrial site. He will continue with a photo review of the work done in the ensuing years and a quick discussion of future plans, including the re-creation of part of the railroad that once circumnavigated the Copake Iron Works.

Edgar is a founding member of Friends of Taconic State Park and the chair of the group’s Historic Preservation sub-committee. He is the third generation to serve as a Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in the Taconic Region, succeeding his father and grandfather. His grandfather, Francis R. Masters, was instrumental in the establishment of Taconic State Park in the early 1920s having contributed the acreage around which the park was ultimately developed. Edgar lectures frequently on the history of Taconic State Park and the Copake Iron Works, located within and owned by the Park.

The mission of the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society is to preserve and present the history and cultural traditions of the New York State towns of Copake, Hillsdale, Ancram, Gallatin and Taghkanic.

Copake Iron Works is located at 33 Valley View Road in Copake Falls. For more information about the Copake Iron Works, visit their website.