History, Natural History & the Arts
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
New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) have announced that southern pine beetles (SPB) were found farther north than previously documented and in greater numbers, suggesting their range is expanding and populations are on the rise.
SPB are destructive forest pests that pose a significant threat to the State’s pine forests, particularly pitch pine forests like those found in the Albany Pine Bush and Minnewaska State Park Preserve. [Read more…] about Invasive Southern Pine Beetle Spreads North
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
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
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
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
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?
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
Historian Jim Mackin will present “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Copake Iron Works But Were Afraid to Ask” at a lecture and slide show on Saturday, June 21st at 2pm at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, 9091 Route 22 in Copake, Columbia County, NY, followed by a reception and tour of the Iron Works.
Mackin will also host guided tours of the Copake Iron Works Historic District throughout the summer, beginning on June 8th as part of New York State’s Path Through History Weekend. [Read more…] about Copake Iron Works Tours And Talk Planned
Historian and art enthusiast Jim Mackin will present “Artists of Taconic State Park” at a lecture and slide show on Saturday, October 26th at 1pm at the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society, Corner of Route 344 and Miles Road in Copake Falls. Admission is free.
Mackin will share with the audience his quest to find artists who have painted in Taconic State Park since the early 1800s. His presentation will include related local and park history as well as stories about some of the renowned artists whose works found their way into prominent museums. The presentation will feature many images that illustrate how inspiring Taconic State Park has been to artists for nearly two centuries. John Frederick Kensett, Asher B. Durand and David Milne are among the artists expected to be featured. [Read more…] about Program to Feature Artists of Taconic State Park