The Kent Historical Society will offer two hikes this summer to explore the rich history of the iron industry within the town.
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.
On Sunday, Aug. 17 at 9 a.m., hikers will gather at the entrance of Macedonia Brook State Park (near the intersection of Fuller Mountain Road and Macedonia Brook Road, well before the ranger station. Watch for signs) to explore the ruins of the Macedonia Furnace and Forge. Then everyone will drive to the north end of the park, and park there at the intersection of Macedonia Brook Rd, Keeler Rd and Weber Road. The hike will follow the Orange Trail to explore some of the many charcoal mounds in the area that date back over 100 years. The hike is about 1.5 miles round trip and has some slightly short but steep sections. Wear sturdy shoes and bring bug spray. The tour will be between 1.5 hours and 2 hours.
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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.
