Good News from FTSP!
Autumn 2011 - The first phase of our dream – the construction of a protective cover over the historic Copake Iron Works furnace – became reality on Thursday, October 20th. That morning, the construction team met to discuss final plans for excavating the cement foundation footings. After chatting for a bit, they all decided there was nothing left to talk about so they started the work!
The excitement of having this project underway – 85 years in the making – is enormous. We invite you to celebrate this auspicious event on Saturday November 5th at noon when we will “Have a Blast at the Furnace!” We’ll serve hamburgers, hot dogs and chips, mulled cider and lots of good cheer. It will be our special privilege that day to thank all of you who have made this celebration possible. Check our upcoming events for details.
Spring 2011 - We have received grants from two major foundations: Hudson River Bank & Trust Co. Foundation and the Rheinstrom Hill Community Foundation. Each has pledged $5,000 towards our furnace cover project. These two foundations are known for their support of important local initiatives. There are many organizations seeking their support; we are proud to be included among those organizations they deem worthwhile.
January 2011 - Parks & Trails New York has awarded us a second capacity building grant. We are deeply grateful to PTNY whose gift has allowed us to update this website with some basic, but vitally important features including the ability to join, contribute and shop online. Thank you Parks & Trails New York for this important vote of confidence in our work.
November 2010 - New York State's Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has awarded us a $73,785 matching grant from its Environmental Proectection Fund. This grant will fund 50% of the cost of covering the historic Copake Iron Works furnace the preservation of which should begin at once, according to experts. You can read more about the grant here: Special Newsletter
October 2010 - Price Chopper/Pepsi has awarded Friends of Taconic State Park a very generous grant to underwrite the cost of educational programs at the Copake Iron Works site. Details to follow! Thank you Price Chopper/Pepsi!
October 2010 - The Board of Trustees of The Columbia County Historical Society has unanimously chosen us to receive a Columbia County Heritage Award! The Heritage Award "recognizes the inspired commitment of so many to support Taconic State Park and particularly [their] efforts to preserve the history of the iron industry in Columbia County." We extend our deep appreciation to the Columbia County Historical Society for this invaluable vote of confidence. Read the full citation here.
September 2010 - At its monthly meeting, Copake Falls Day committee member Bob Rosegarten presented Friends of Taconic State Park with an extremely generous contribution. We gratefully include the Copake Falls Day Committee as a Foundry Guardian!
August 2010 - Brad Peck Inc., of Copake, NY has made a very generous grant to support the furnace cover project. Thank you to our good friend, Kirk Kneller, President of Brad Peck Inc.!
July 2010 - We are proud and honored to announce Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has awarded us a grant to further our development efforts. This is the second gift from BTCF and a significant vote of confidence in our work. Thank you Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation!
July 2010 - We are equally proud and honored to announce that our good friend and partner, the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society has also awarded us a grant. This gift will help us fund the cost of an engineer's report on covering the Copake Iron Works Furnace!
We could not be more honored by or grateful for these grant and with the validation of our efforts that they imply!
The excitement of having this project underway – 85 years in the making – is enormous. We invite you to celebrate this auspicious event on Saturday November 5th at noon when we will “Have a Blast at the Furnace!” We’ll serve hamburgers, hot dogs and chips, mulled cider and lots of good cheer. It will be our special privilege that day to thank all of you who have made this celebration possible. Check our upcoming events for details.
Spring 2011 - We have received grants from two major foundations: Hudson River Bank & Trust Co. Foundation and the Rheinstrom Hill Community Foundation. Each has pledged $5,000 towards our furnace cover project. These two foundations are known for their support of important local initiatives. There are many organizations seeking their support; we are proud to be included among those organizations they deem worthwhile.
January 2011 - Parks & Trails New York has awarded us a second capacity building grant. We are deeply grateful to PTNY whose gift has allowed us to update this website with some basic, but vitally important features including the ability to join, contribute and shop online. Thank you Parks & Trails New York for this important vote of confidence in our work.
November 2010 - New York State's Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has awarded us a $73,785 matching grant from its Environmental Proectection Fund. This grant will fund 50% of the cost of covering the historic Copake Iron Works furnace the preservation of which should begin at once, according to experts. You can read more about the grant here: Special Newsletter
October 2010 - Price Chopper/Pepsi has awarded Friends of Taconic State Park a very generous grant to underwrite the cost of educational programs at the Copake Iron Works site. Details to follow! Thank you Price Chopper/Pepsi!
October 2010 - The Board of Trustees of The Columbia County Historical Society has unanimously chosen us to receive a Columbia County Heritage Award! The Heritage Award "recognizes the inspired commitment of so many to support Taconic State Park and particularly [their] efforts to preserve the history of the iron industry in Columbia County." We extend our deep appreciation to the Columbia County Historical Society for this invaluable vote of confidence. Read the full citation here.
September 2010 - At its monthly meeting, Copake Falls Day committee member Bob Rosegarten presented Friends of Taconic State Park with an extremely generous contribution. We gratefully include the Copake Falls Day Committee as a Foundry Guardian!
August 2010 - Brad Peck Inc., of Copake, NY has made a very generous grant to support the furnace cover project. Thank you to our good friend, Kirk Kneller, President of Brad Peck Inc.!
July 2010 - We are proud and honored to announce Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has awarded us a grant to further our development efforts. This is the second gift from BTCF and a significant vote of confidence in our work. Thank you Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation!
July 2010 - We are equally proud and honored to announce that our good friend and partner, the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society has also awarded us a grant. This gift will help us fund the cost of an engineer's report on covering the Copake Iron Works Furnace!
We could not be more honored by or grateful for these grant and with the validation of our efforts that they imply!
