Blackberry River Walk 2007:
We met at the East Canaan Congregational Church, where President Ron Jones introduced our Vice President (and Lakeville Journal historical reporter) Dick Paddock. Dick delivered an informative and well-illustrated talk on the industries of the Blackberry River -- we hope to add video portions of that talk here soon.
We then proceeded down Lower Road to the Barnum & Richardson Study Center, formerly the Office Building, where we were treated to a demonstration of pottery making in the manner of the late 19th century. Pottery? At Beckley Furnace? Of course! The people who worked in the industries on the Blackberry (including the Beckley) did not regularly dine on fine china!
The group then explored the ground and the Furnace, where Ed Kirby presented material on the furnace's operation and its restoration. Highlights of this year's furnace visit included the limestone outlines of the casting shed walls, just recently completed.
It was then time to get back on the road -- Lower Road -- and see more of what made this an important part of industrial Americana 150 years ago. After passing the remaining Barnum & Richardson company houses, Walt Michaels, grandson of the last ironmaster of Beckley, gave us a presentation near the site of the "Furnace in a field" -- namely East Canaan #3.
Finally, we adjourned to the ever-popular Land of Nod Winery where we enjoyed hot dogs (courtesy of the Michaels family) and a few of us stopped in the winery shop -- to purchase the Friends of Beckley Furnace tee-shirts they sell there, of course, not to mention the fine wines they make from grapes grown on what was once the site of a blast furnace.
Some photos of the day follow. Click on any of them to see a much larger version. ENJOY!
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Blackberry River Walkers en route from East Canaan Congregational Church to the Barnum and Richardson Study Center |
Pottery making demonstration outside the Study Center |
Walt Michaels, shown with a picture of his grandfather, the last ironmaster of Beckley Furnace |
Beckley Furnace itself, the south face |
Ed Kirby discusses furnace operation with interested River Walkers |
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More discussion of the furnace |
Some of the River Walkers near the river at Beckley |
Along Lower Road: some of the remaining Barnum and Richardson Company houses |
Walt Michaels holds forth near the site of East Canaan #3 |
Land of Nod Winery, where we had lunch (and some sampled the vintages) |
We had a great day! Join us next year for the next edition of Blackberry River Walk!
