Month: July 2014

Kent Iron Furnace Hike

Posted on by Christopher Williams

Twenty three join KHS on Kent Iron Furnace hike

The Kent Historical Society took interested area residents to the actual site of the Kent Iron Furnace Saturday, July 26 for a hike on the trail created by the State of Connecticut’s Office of Culture and Tourism and the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association.

The furnace is located on the site of the Eric Sloane Museum and the trail is highlighted with a number of pictorial markers that explain special sites on the property.

Executive Director Marge Smith shared her extensive knowledge of the site and how iron was created by pointing out the different areas, such as where the dam, water wheel and race were and remnants can still be seen today. Children stood on a salamander and learned what that was – waste product from when a furnace blast didn’t actually go quite right.

There were 23 people of varying ages that joined the hike, including one woman from Danbury who made the special trip to educate herself on the area’s historic ties to the iron industry. Several long-time residents joined the walk as well.

Everyone was invited back to the society’s Seven Hearths Museum, where an extensive exhibit delves into the iron industry in depth. There is an examination of a number of people from Kent who worked in the various aspects of taking the ore and transforming it into iron.

 

Works by GLN and his mother featured

Posted on by Christopher Williams

 Works by GLN and his mother featured

 

A rare exhibit of paintings by George Laurence Nelson alongside the artwork of his mother, Alice Kerr-Nelson Hirschberg, will be featured at the Kent Memorial Library through Aug. 30. The artwork is on loan from the Kent Historical Society.



C.Y. Turner and William Merritt Chase considered her to be “America’s greatest woman artist.”



George Laurence Nelson, one of the founders of the Litchfield Hills Art Colony and the Kent Art Association, bought a home in Kent in 1919, and moved out from New York City in the 1930s to live full time at “Seven Hearths” until his death 1978. Nelson was known for painting portraits, especially those of society notables in New York City.



The Kent Memorial Library is located at 32 N. Main St., Kent. For more information, see www.kentmemoriallibrary.org.

Hike at Macedonia Forge and Furnace site

Posted on by Christopher Williams


Hike at Macedonia Forge and Furnace site

KHS sponsored two guided hikes this summer that allowed people to get out and see areas that were involved in the production of iron.

The Kent Iron Furnace, next to the Eric Sloane Museum, was the site of a bustling blast furnace in the 1800s. Participants July 26 toured the trails created by the State of Connecticut’s Office of Culture and Tourism and the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association. Executive Director Marge Smith shared her extensive knowledge of the site and how iron was created by pointing out the different areas, such as where the dam, water wheel and race were and remnants can still be seen today.

Another site, the Macedonia Forge and Furnace was explored Aug. 17. Tucked away just off the road leading into Macedonia Brook State Park, the furnace ruins are at the edge of Macedonia Brook. Smith led a hike at the other end of the park to explore the Orange Trail to see the many charcoal mounds in the area that date back over 100 years.

 

 

Hike at Kent Iron Furnace

Posted on by Christopher Williams

Hike of Kent Iron Furnace site

The Kent Historical Society will offer two hikes this summer to explore the rich history of the iron industry within the town.

The first event will be on Saturday, July 26 at 9 a.m.

Attendees are asked to meet at the Eric Sloane Museum at 31 Kent Cornwall Road to walk the trail created by the State of Connecticut’s Office of Culture and Tourism and the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association. It is highlighted with a number of pictorial markers that explain special sites on the property.

Executive Director Marge Smith will share her extensive knowledge of the site and how iron was created by pointing out the different areas, such as where the dam, water wheel and race were and remnants can still be seen today.

The trail is less than 1/4 mile and is easy to navigate. Tour will be under one hour.

Those attending both hikes will be invited back to the society’s Seven Hearths Museum, located at the corner of Studio Hill Road and Route 7, where an extensive exhibit delves into the iron industry in depth. There is an examination of a number of people from Kent who worked in the various aspects of taking the ore and transforming it into iron.

Seven Hearths is open to the public weekends during July, August and September from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information about the exhibit can be found at www.kenthistoricalsociety.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KentCTHistoricalSociety. Reservations requested at reservations@kenthistoricalsociety.org.

Children’s Summer Art Programs

Posted on by Christopher Williams

Children’s Summer Art Enrichment Programs

The Kent Historical Society offered two weeks of art programs for children in July for children interested in developing their fine arts skills.

Summer Art Enrichment Program

Artist Cheryl Moore led two weeks for children in exploring visual arts beginning July 7. Moore is a respected artist and a 32-year teacher, who knows how to draw out artistic talents from her students. She is chairman of the Art Department at South Kent School and she has offered a number of special workshops for younger children over the years.

Mrs. Moore exposed the youngsters to a variety of artistic styles, cultural interpretations, and mediums. She explored several watercolor projects, florals with pastels and mixed media. Classes were held in the Kent Historical Society’s Art Barn, an indoor/outdoor space on the campus of the Historical Society’s Seven Hearths property, facing garden and woodland used as extended classroom space.

KHS expects to offer this program again in Summer 2015.