09/24/2022
20th Annual Housatonic Heritage Walks: Saturday – October 1, 2022 - #74 – East Canaan, CT 1 HOUR TOURS FROM 10 AM – 2 PM
TOUR THE Beckley Furnace, CT’S DEDICATED IRON INDUSTRIAL MONUMENT
Learn about the historic iron industry of the Upper Housatonic Valley, by the Friends of Beckley Furnace. Built in 1847, the furnace produced high quality iron until 1918, and is one of the last surviving examples of the 19th and early 20th century blast furnaces that were once commonplace CT sights, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There were 21 furnaces in northwestern CT, as rich veins of iron ore were discovered in the hills near the town of Salisbury. During the American Revolution, CT-forged iron helped fuel the manufacture of American weaponry, most notably the cannons used by the Continental Army, Union weapons for the Civil War, and railroad car wheels. Tour begins when you arrive. 1 hour–0.4 mile
140 Lower Road, East Canaan, just off US Rtes 44 & 7. If coming from the East, North, or West, take Route 44 to East Canaan, CT. At the Congregational church, turn South onto Lower Road, passing alongside the Church building, and continue for 1/2 mile, turning to the right and down the hill. If coming from the South, take Rte 7 to Canaan, CT. Pass a railroad yard on your left, and just before you cross a bridge across the the Blackberry River, turn right into Lower Road, heading East. The Furnace is about 3 miles east of the intersection of Lower Road and East Canaan. GPS 42.01274, -73.29074
This Walk is part of the 2022 Housatonic Heritage Walks program that offers more than 80 FREE guided walks to the most interesting historic, cultural and natural sites in Berkshire County, MA, and Litchfield County, CT.
Heritage Walks are offered on Saturdays & Sundays on four September weekends: Saturdays & Sundays on September 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25 and October 1 & 2
Complete list of Heritage Walks at: https://housatonicheritage.org/events/heritage-walks/
