(Click above to see our 2010 poster)
Blackberry River Walk 2009:
The traditional Blackberry River Walk for 2009 -- our 12th River Walk -- took place starting at the East Canaan Congregational Church on Saturday, August 15, 2009.
We heard Yale Professor -- and scholar of the iron industry in the United States -- Robert Gordon tell us about the various places in US history occupied by the Salisbury iron industry. Everyone in the room learned at least something new.
Then came the walk itself. New this year was a series of signs pointing out various long-vanished Blackberry River industries, as well as a brochure, written for this history walk by Dick Paddock.
At the Furnace, we were treated to drumming by a group from Salisbury -- definitely something new for Blackberry River Walks -- as well as excellent information from Dennis Picard, Director of the Storrowton Village Museum at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield and an authority on stone cutting.
And, for those hardy ones who made it all the way to the Winery, delicious lunch was available, courtesy of the family of the last ironmaster at Beckley Furnace.
Here are some photos from the day -- please click any of them to see a larger image:
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President Ed Kirby welcomes our guests |
Dick Paddock tells about the new brochures and signs |
Professor Gordon, during his remarks |
Yup, this is where the Blackberry River Walk starts! |
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Participants leave the Gordon remarks and preparing to walk |
Site of the New England Chemical Company |
Some of the walkers
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More of the walkers |
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Drummers at the furnace
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Dennis Picard discussing stone work |
Conversation at the furnace |
Stone mason and archaeologist have found something |
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Dennis Picard pointed out something we'd never noticed: the personal mark made by the person who cut this stone! |
Discussing the find! |
Site of the blacksmith's shop |
Sign for the lower dam and power canal |
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Not too hard to see where the power canal was |
Signs for the end of the power canal and the site of the narrow gauge railroad bridge |
Sign pointing to the site of the New England Slag Company |
Sign pointing to the location of the three-track railroad yard (now a vineyard) |
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Sign for the site of Furnace #3 |
Sign for site of Furnace #1 and its charging wall (still visible) |
Dennis Picard displays his stoneworking tools |
Illustrating the tools and evidence of their use |
We hope that you'll join us for Blackberry River Walk 2010 -- usually held the third Saturday of August each year -- or join us some Saturday morning during the summer when there's a guide available to show you around.
For information about and photos of past Blackberry River Walks, please CLICK HERE
