During colonial times rich deposits of iron ore were discovered in the Ramapo mountains and these deposits gave rise to a major industry. The great chains, which were placed across the Hudson River during the Revolutionary War, to prevent the passage of British warships, were manufactured at Sterling Forest. On Sept 18 & 19, come hear about the early iron industry of the Hudson Highlands, part of the John Scott Armchair Walking Tour series presented by The Historical Society of The Nyacks and Friends of the Nyacks.
The Early Iron Industry in the Hudson Highlands will be presented by Donald “Doc” Bayne, a historian, photographer and retired environmental educator and forest ranger at Sterling Forest.
- September 18th at 7p at the Nyack Library 59 South Broadway Nyack
- September 19th at 2p at the Valley Cottage Library, 110 Route 303, Valley Cottage
Camp Shanks, First Stop on the Road to Victory In Europe
Jerry Donnellan, Nyack native and a wounded Vietnam War Veteran, will present Camp Shanks, First Stop on the Road to Victory In Europe on October 16 and 17. Donellan is currently Rockland County Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and Curator at the Camp Shanks Museum in Orangeburg.
- October 16th at 7pm at the Nyack Library
- October 17th at 2pm at the Valley Cottage Library
In September of 1942, the U.S. Army took over 2,000 acres of Orangeburg farm land and New York State property to create a huge Port of Embarkation to support the war in Europe. Over 1.3 million GIs were processed at this “last stop USA,” on their way to Victory in Europe. After the war, Camp Shanks served to process the returning and victorious men on their way home. Many veterans chose to remain in the area at Shanks Village, with their wives and children, to study at near-by colleges and universities. Many of these veterans with their new degrees and families decided to remain in Rockland and built the Hickory Hill Cooperative in Tappan.
Trap Rock Quarries In Rockland – Digging Into Our Earliest History
- November 13th at 7pm at the Nyack Library
- November 14th at 2pm at the Valley Cottage Library
Presented by Bert Dahm, a life long resident of West Nyack, president of Heritage of West Nyack, and unofficial historian of that hamlet.
The program will describe Rockland’s earliest industry including the uses of trap rock and the hazardous explosives which were used to mine this valuable mineral. Bert Dahm’s family owned and operated three Trap Rock quarries that later merged to form the New York Trap Rock Corporation. Bert will show the growth of this basic industry and include many events from his personal recollections of his family’s role in the quarries of Rockland.
Seating is limited and attendees should pre-register by calling or going on-line.
Nyack Library: 845.358.3379 or www.NyackLibrary.org
Valley Cottage Library: 845.268.7700 or www.VCLIB.org
Ramapo Iron work photo credit: Richard Cunningham
