Copake Iron Works

Season Opening of the Copake Iron Works

May 17, 2026 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Pomeroy Family Railroad at the Copake Iron Works, operated by the Friends of Taconic State Park, opens for its third year of operation on Saturday, May 23, 2026 (Memorial Day Weekend). The Railroad runs on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 2 pm to 4 pm through mid-October.

The Pomeroy Family Railroad is part of the Copake Iron Works National Heritage Area in Taconic State Park, which also includes the remains of the iron works, a museum, visitor center and 25 point historic trail. [Read more…] about Season Opening of the Copake Iron Works

Columbia County Farms & Forests Talk: Troy Weldy at Copake Iron Works, July 27th

July 15, 2025 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Since assuming the presidency of Columbia Land Conservancy in 2020, Troy Weldy has negotiated the preservation of nearly 3,500 acres of forest and farmland.

He’s been studying and conserving the lands of the Hudson Valley, including Columbia County, since 1995. Over that time, he has conducted multiple botanical and ecological surveys in New York State Parks, other state lands and on private properties. [Read more…] about Columbia County Farms & Forests Talk: Troy Weldy at Copake Iron Works, July 27th

Copake Iron Works Opening For The Season With Events

April 18, 2025 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

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. [Read more…] about Copake Iron Works Opening For The Season With Events

Gardener Margaret Roach Presenting At Friends of Taconic State Park Annual Meeting

July 8, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Margaret Roach, award winning gardening authority and editor of the popular website AWaytoGarden.com, headlines Friends of Taconic State Park’s 16th Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Sunday, July 21st beginning at noon at the Copake Iron Works National Heritage Area Site, 35 Valley View Road in Copake Falls, Columbia County, NY. [Read more…] about Gardener Margaret Roach Presenting At Friends of Taconic State Park Annual Meeting

New Railroad Attraction at Copake Iron Works

May 25, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Friends of Taconic State Park (FTSP) will celebrate the grand opening of the Pomeroy Family Railroad at the Copake Iron Works in Taconic State Park on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 2 pm. The public is invited to attend the celebration and take an inaugural ride on the railroad. [Read more…] about New Railroad Attraction at Copake Iron Works

New Mini Railroad Starts Running at Copake Iron Works June 7th

April 11, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Copake Iron Works has announced the inauguration of the Pomeroy Family Railroad at the Copake Iron Works at Copake Falls in Columbia County, NY is set for Wednesday, June 7th. [Read more…] about New Mini Railroad Starts Running at Copake Iron Works June 7th

Copake Iron Works Gets $100k For Loop Railroad

August 7, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Friends of Taconic State Park (FTSP) has received a $100,000 grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to support the development of The Pomeroy Family Railroad at Copake Iron Works.

The gift was announced at FTSP’s annual meeting on Saturday, July 30th at the Copake Iron Works National Heritage Area Site located within Taconic State Park. [Read more…] about Copake Iron Works Gets $100k For Loop Railroad

RR Project Being Unveiled at Copake Furnace Fest

October 7, 2019 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Friends of Taconic State Park is set to host its annual celebration of the iconic blast furnace at the historic Copake Iron Works in Taconic State Park, on Saturday, October 12th.

At this year’s gathering, the Friends Board of Directors will unveil plans to re-create the narrow gauge railroad that circumnavigated the Copake Iron Works during its nineteenth century heyday. After the unveiling, hamburgers and hotdogs will be served from the Iron Bar & Grill with musical accompaniment and raffles. The event will begin at noon. [Read more…] about RR Project Being Unveiled at Copake Furnace Fest

Ken Jackson on Robert Moses at Copake Iron Works BBQ

June 16, 2019 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York City historian Kenneth Jackson is set to headline Friends of Taconic State Park’s 11th Annual Meeting and BBQ Supper on Saturday, July 20th beginning at 6 pm at the Copake Iron Works National Heritage Area Site in the Hudson Valley, 35 Valley View Road, in Copake Falls, NY. [Read more…] about Ken Jackson on Robert Moses at Copake Iron Works BBQ

History of the Factory Subject of Taconic Park Event

July 10, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Historian Joshua Freeman is set to headline the Friends of Taconic State Park’s 10th Annual Meeting and BBQ Supper on Saturday, July 28th beginning at 6 pm at the Copake Iron Works, 35 Valley View Road, Copake Falls.

Freeman will speak on his new book Behemoth: A History of the Factory and the Making of the Modern World. [Read more…] about History of the Factory Subject of Taconic Park Event

Copake Iron Works Opens New Visitor Center

June 25, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Friends of Taconic State Park celebrated the opening of a Visitor Center at the Copake Ironworks on Saturday, June 16th.

Attending were members of the group’s Board of Directors and other supporters of the organization including the family of the late Frances R. Masters, Jr. in whose memory the Visitor Center was established, and Linda Cooper, Regional Director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for the Taconic Region. [Read more…] about Copake Iron Works Opens New Visitor Center

Iron and Steel History at Copake Iron Works July 27th

July 24, 2017 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Historian and biographer David Nasaw will be the featured speaker at the 9th Annual Meeting and BBQ Supper of Friends of Taconic State Park on Thursday, July 27th beginning at 6 pm at the Copake Iron Works.

Nasaw will present “Clash of the Titans! Pomeroy and Carnegie – Man of Iron vs. Man of Steel” at the annual gathering in Copake Falls. His bestseller Andrew Carnegie was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, the recipient of the New-York Historical Society’s American History Book Prize, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. [Read more…] about Iron and Steel History at Copake Iron Works July 27th

Copake Iron Works Designated National Heritage Site

December 5, 2016 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Copake Iron Works historic site in Taconic State Park has been designated a Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site.

The recognition, awarded through the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, in partnership with the National Park Service, recognizes the Copake Iron Works as a nationally-significant cultural and natural resource of the Hudson River Valley. [Read more…] about Copake Iron Works Designated National Heritage Site

What’s New At The Old Copake Iron Works?

May 5, 2016 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

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. [Read more…] about What’s New At The Old Copake Iron Works?

Artifacts From The Copake Iron Works Talk

March 11, 2015 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Friends of Taconic State Park will presents “Artifacts from the Copake Iron Works” on Sunday, March 15th from 2 to 4 pm at the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society in Copake Falls, NY.

Jim Mackin, vice president of Friends of Taconic State Park, along with members of the group’s museum committee, will speak about the history of the Copake Iron Works and efforts to catalog the many artifacts uncovered in the Iron Works machine shop. [Read more…] about Artifacts From The Copake Iron Works Talk

Photos of Copake Iron Works Area Sought

December 17, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Friends of Taconic State Park, the organization working to preserve and stabilize the 19th century Copake Iron Works, are seeking historic photos for its interpretative signage project.

Anyone with access to, or possession of, images of the site (especially the centerpiece blast furnace and any houses or other buildings located nearby) is encouraged to contact them at info@FriendsofTSP.org. [Read more…] about Photos of Copake Iron Works Area Sought

Furnace Fest at the Copake Iron Works on Saturday

November 4, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Friends of Taconic State Park invites history lovers to have a blast at “Furnace Fest at the Copake Iron Works” on Saturday, November 8^th from noon to 2pm. This year’s celebration will feature a display of 19th century ironmaking artifacts from the group’s museum project, a scavenger hunt on the Iron Works history trail, and lunch at the Iron Bar and Grill.

Since its establishment in 2008, Friends of Taconic State Park has carried out several preservation and stabilization projects at the Copake Iron Works including the construction of a protective shelter for the 19th century blast furnace, and extensive masonry repairs to the Engine House and Machine Shop. [Read more…] about Furnace Fest at the Copake Iron Works on Saturday

Steam Automobiles To Visit Copake Iron Works

July 2, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Steam meets iron when the Lakeville (CT) Steam Automobile Association stops for lunch at the Copake Iron Works on July 9th at noon during the club’s week long tour of the Berkshires and Hudson Valley.

Approximately 30 antique steam automobiles dating from 1900 to 1920 will be on display beginning approximately at noon (hard to say with old cars!). Stanley Steamers, manufactured in Newton, Massachusetts, are the stalwarts, but White Steamers from Cleveland, Ohio will steam in too! [Read more…] about Steam Automobiles To Visit Copake Iron Works

Copake Iron Works

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