The Friends of Beckley Furnace

 

"What was this place, anyway?" That is the single question we at Beckley Furnace hear more frequently than any other.  We hope that this website will not just provide you with the answer to this question, but will also help you share in the fascination it has for many of us today. for more information about Beckley Furnace, Connecticut's designated Industrial monument.	Beckley Furnace, seen from across the Blackberry River in July 2003
VISIT BECKLEY FURNACE  for driving directions. Knowledgeable guides -- members of the Friends of Beckley Furnace -- will be onsite at the Furnace from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each Saturday beginning June 7, 2008 and continuing through the summer. They are happy to explain the operation of the furnace and of the entire facility, to show early photographs and to answer questions concerning the 192 year history of iron manufacture in Northwestern Connecticut and the Tri-state region.  Special dates in 2008 include CT Tours Day, on June 14, and our own Blackberry River Walk 2008, held this year on August 16, when we will had the traditional walk, as well as food and demonstrations of traditional skills and crafts. Whether you can visit on a Saturday when guides are available to answer questions or whether you visit at some other time, you'll find that we have  interpretive signage that provides much information about how the whole operation worked.	We particularly welcome student and school groups! Our experts are very pleased to tailor presentations to your group's interests, but we do require advance notice for guided tours during hours when we are not regularly open.    to see photos of some of the student groups that have visited us at Beckley Furnace.
	We invite you to learn more about Beckley Furnace, and to see other resources about the Salisbury Iron District. See the photos from our Blackberry River Walks.