Ironworkings - November, 2004

Excerpts from Ironworkings
November, 2004

This is the online version of the November, 2004, edition of Ironworkings, the newsletter of the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks. Ironworkings is mailed to members of the FOLPI as a benefit of their membership.

President's Message

Twenty years ago, I became a member and active volunteer of the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks. It has been a wonderful experience to be involved with the organization as we have grown, both physically and dynamically. Membership has increased from less than 100 to nearly 1,000 members. Once we conducted tours from outside the yet-to-be-restored Visitors Center, with the nearest restroom located two miles away; today, we not only have indoor plumbing, but we boast the only museum in the North Jersey Highlands that interprets the process and history of ironmaking. Our educational programs have increased tenfold to include living history weekends, summer camps, and annual visits from local elementary schools as part of their curriculum. We have been the recipient of revolving cultural grants over the past three years and are researching major funds for restoration efforts.

The organization is entering an exciting new phase, and I look forward to continuing my journey with all of you in my new position as president of the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks. I invite you to help with any of our numerous volunteer opportunities so that together we can advance our interpretation and preservation efforts for the Historic District.
Beth T. Timsak

An Evening with Linda Russell

On Saturday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m., Linda Russell performed a concert of 18th and 19th century ballads, broadsides, and love songs at Long Pond Ironworks. Accompanying herself on dulcimers, guitar, and penny whistle, Ms. Russell brings to life to the popular music of the past interwoven with lively commentary on the life and times of early America. Ms. Russell served for many years as a balladeer with the National Park Service and now performs at historic sites, schools, and festivals nationwide. She has recorded eight albums of traditional and popular music.

This project is funded, in part, by the Passaic County Cultural and Heritage Council at Passaic County Community College, made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.

Around the Ironworks This Summer-Fall

FOLPI hosted our second Shakespeare in the State Park festival, funded in part by the Passaic County Cultural and Heritage Council, on August 7. The Hudson Shakespeare Company of Jersey City, who performed Henry V at Long Pond last year, presented Cymbeline to an enthusiastic audience of about 150.

On the weekend of August 14-15, FOLPI Ironmaster Duncan Berry put his experimental furnace back into blast, marking the third year for this exciting event. Unfortunately, the demonstration was again hampered by cool and rainy weather-but we'll try again next year. FOLPI also held Candle Lantern Tours on Saturday, August 14, with the furnace as the centerpiece of the program.

During the week of August 16-20, FOLPI hosted the Ringwood Creative Learning Foundation's Eureka! Learning Camp at Long Pond Ironworks. Four morning programs were offered: Archaeology, Colonial Crafts, A Day in the Life at Long Pond Ironworks, and Science and Nature. We are grateful to the RCLF for giving us the opportunity to participate in these programs and look forward to hosting future afterschool and summer programs.

On September 11-12, we held our annual Revolutionary War Living History Weekend, co-sponsored by the New Jersey Militia, Heard's Brigade. The event was a rousing success, as the reenactors showed what life might have been like in a Highlands village occupied by the British and defended by the local militia.

Finally, we again participated in West Milford's annual Autumn Lights Festival by offering Long Pond Ironworks Walking Tours on Saturday, October 9.

As always, we offer a hearty round of applause to all of the volunteers who came out this summer and fall to make these events possible.

Membership Committee News and Notes
submitted by Julia Held

The year 2003-2004 brought about changes in FOLPI administrative structure. Hans Niederstrasser has been named FOLPI's new Membership Chair, and he joins me in welcoming all newcomers and cherishing all of the oldtimers who are dedicated to preserving the history and essence of Long Pond Ironworks, which once supported a living, vital ironworking community in the Highlands of New Jersey.

I turned over the Membership Committee chair to take on a new responsibility: heading the newly revitalized Fundraising and Grants Committee. This move has made me even more keenly aware of the importance of each of our members: Grant program officers are impressed by our numbers. You do make a difference.

Thank you for your support as members, donors, and volunteers.

Just a reminder:

FOLPI now calculates memberships on a fiscal-year (rather than calendar-year) basis. This means that the current membership year began on June 1, 2004, and ends on May 31, 2005.

Reminder letters for 2004-2005 membership renewals were mailed in September. If you have not renewed your membership, we hope that you will! Join or Renew Now!

FOLPI 2004 Calendar of Events, Fall-Winter 2004

Meetings
FOLPI Meetings will be held on the following Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.: October 14, November 11, and December 9. Work meetings are held the following week. Call to confirm.

North Jersey Highlands Historical Society Meetings and historical programs are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m., Long Pond Ironworks Visitors Center: October 27, November 24, and December 29.

Events
November 6: Candle Lantern Tours, 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. Reservations required. $10/adult; $5/child (7:30 only).

November 13: An Evening with Linda Russell, Historical Balladeer, 7:30 p.m. LPI Visitors Center. $5/person (suggested donation).

November 13-14: LPI Walking Tours. Saturday, 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m, 2:00 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

November 27: Hasenclever Trail Hike. Meet at the LPI Visitors Center, 10:00 a.m., for a five-mile hike over moderate terrain. Led by Paul Frost.

Ask us about special group tours or programs for your organization. School programs are available on-site and in-school. The LPI Museum and Visitors Center is open every weekend, March through November, from 1-4 p.m.

Visit the Calendar page for the current schedule of activities at Long Pond.

FOLPI Information Line (973) 657-1688 or email us.