News from Long Pond Ironworks

News from the
Friends of Long Pond Ironworks

12/02/01 - After a busy season, Long Pond is "closed for the winter." Museum visits can be arranged by organized groups and schools. The "Defending the Hudson" exhibit will be moving to the West Point Visitor Center to open in Spring, 2002.
3/9/01 - Don't miss the Grand Opening of the "Defending the Hudson" exhibit in the Museum, Sunday, April 1.
2/01 - The Long Pond Photo Gallery is now online.
The Long Pond Ironworks Museum announces a special exhibit in memory of George P. Sellmer, a longtime Friend who passed away in July. Among his many notable contributions to local history, George documented and researched the Long Pond waterwheels with Ronald J. Dupont. Their work was used as the blueprint for the North Wheel's reconstruction in the early 1990s. FOLPI will be forever grateful for the time and energy George devoted to the Historic District, and for the guidance and generosity he showed to us over the many years he belonged to the Friends. (closed 2/01)
Web videographer JsD'Angelo has provided us with 3 panoramic images of the Long Pond site. For a virtual view of Long Pond click here.
In response to numerous requests for information about "Hasenclever's Germans," an article excerpted from “Whatever Happened to Peter Hasenclever’s Germans?” The Highlander, vol. 34, no. 88 (1998) has been added to our site.
Archeologist Ed Lenik was at the Visitors Center/Old Country Store to sign copies of his new book, Indians of the Ramapos: Survival, Persistence & Presence. Indians of the Ramapos Book Signing on Sunday, March 5, 2000. Published by the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society, which is sponsoring the book signing, Lenik’s Indians of the Ramapos brings together research in many disciplines concerning the thousands of years of human occupation of the Ramapos.
The book is also available for $13.00, plus $3.00 per copy for shipping, from the NJHHS, c/o Edward Lenik, Sheffield Archaeological Consultants, Butler, NJ 07405. Makes checks payable to the NJHHS.
Friends who volunteered staffing the Long Pond Ironworks Museum during its first season were honored at a reception in the Old Country Store on November 18, 1999. New volunteers are welcome and needed when the museum reopens on Saturday, April 8, 2000.
A new Executive Committee was elected at the July business meeting. Beth Timsak is our new Vice President and Sue Maier is filling the Recording Secretary slot vacated by Beth, who served in the position for many years.
The Wheel Shed project has been completed and both the restored North Wheel and the stabilized South Wheel are protected from the elements. Wheelwright Jim Cricker rotated the restored wheel to ensure it remains in good condition.
A project is in the design stage to rebuild the retaining walls between the waterwheels and the riverbank. (Completed in 2000)
At the June, 1999 Annual Meeting, past FOLPI Presidents Steve Gross and Martin Deeks were presented with plaques commemorating their tireless service in forwarding the goals of the group. Current President Rob Sparkes made special note of Steve's vision and efforts at keeping the organization moving in its early years. Rob highlighted Martin's work in bringing the Museum project to fruition.
The project tracking descendants of Peter Hasenclever's ironworkers (brought over from Germany in the 1760s) is making great strides. Sue Maier presented a program on her research at the Annual Meeting on June 10th. For information or to become involved in the project, leave a message on the FOLPI Information Line, (973) 657-1688 or send an email.
The FOLPI Information Line has been changed to (973) 657-1688. The change was necessary with the phone being moved to the Long Pond Ironworks Museum, located in the Old Country Store. Having the phone on-site will enable us to operate more effectively and efficiently. It also improves safety for visitors and volunteers alike.
The 1999 Spring "Behind the Bushes Tour" was held on March 13 with more than 50 FOLPI members and guests from other historical groups participating.
The Long Pond Ironworks Museum Grand Opening was held on Saturday, October 24, 1998. The museum was open on Saturdays and most Sundays April through mid-November, 1999. It will reopen for the Y2K season on Saturday, April 8, 2000.
A state grant will enable a signage project to begin.