THE FRIENDS OF BECKLEY FURNACE, INC.

Thanks to the efforts of many, the Beckley Furnace stands as the centerpiece of the Tri-State region's Iron Heritage Trail.  As well, Beckley is Connecticut's only official Industrial Monument.  The State of Connecticut has added to the site by purchasing the former Beckley Furnace office building (now the Barnum and Richardson Building, our educational and study center) and a newer adjoining residence built on a foundation of the period.  While the structures and site are state owned, the Friends of Beckley Furnace have the responsibility for maintenance and development of the entire Beckley Furnace site, subject to the oversight of the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). 

In recent years, the Friends of Beckley Furnace have built a trail from the furnace to the dam, installed permanent informational signs at various locations throughout the site, performed archeological excavation at the site of the turbine near the dam (highlighted by the discovery of a previously unknown second turbine), and continued the renovation and repurposing of the historic office building as a research and educational center. 

During the summer of 2007, the foundation of the historic casting shed was unearthed and has been outlined in crushed limestone to permit better visibility and assist in visitor understanding.  Also in 2007, interior renovation of the Barnum and Richardson Building continued, including restoration of the parquet floor in the former office of the chief of the works and dedication of the Adam Bookcase, an artifact provided by the Falls Village Historical Society and renovated by Salisbury Artisans for the Friends.  The bookcase had previously been located in the Barnum and Richardson offices in Lime Rock.

In 2008, renovation of the former office was substantially completed, and plans for future restoration of the office building were formulated. 

One major task currently on the agenda is restoration of the Beckley Furnace dam in the Blackberry River.  We anticipate work on this major project will begin in 2009 or 2010.

Thanks to the Connecticut DEP the site is now furnished with picnic tables to provide places for our guests to sit and enjoy the scenery. 

Our future plans include restoration of the vault in the former office building, installation of several display cases in that facility, building additional trails along the river, creating information kiosks, improving parking and, perhaps most important, continuation of archeological excavations. There is still much we do not know about the operation of Beckley Furnace!

Please consider becoming a member (or renewing your current membership) and contributing your support to saving an important piece of our nation's history.  Your dues -- $10 for individuals, $15 for families, and $25 for businesses per year (of course, additional contributions are most welcome as well) -- are fully tax deductible and will be used to continue the ongoing educational programs, grant searches, studies, archaeological excavations, building repair and maintenance, and placement of further interpretational signs and kiosks.

We welcome your membership donation.  Checks should be made out to FOBF, Inc. and mailed to FOBF, Inc., PO Box 383, East Canaan, CT 06024.  Please include name, address, e-mail address, and phone number with your check.  You can reach our Treasurer via e-mail at Treasurer@beckleyfurnace.org.

We appreciate your support.  Your membership is important to the preservation of the Beckley Furnace.