Fri, Nov 7  – West Point Foundry Preserve and Putnam History Museum, Cold Spring
Leader: Georgette Weir
Our group of eight gathered on the Constitution Marsh waterfront in Cold Spring to explore the site of a once large and very active iron foundry, a very early American industrial enterprise. Founded in 1818 to manufacture ordnance for the US military, the foundry went on to produce the first American-built locomotives, as well as steam engines, industrial equipment, and architectural elements. The site was preserved and developed into an unusual park by Scenic Hudson, with excellent interpretive signs and features along easy-to-walk paths. From there, we followed one trail up a hill to Chestnut Street, and then down to the small but interesting Putnam History Museum to learn more about the foundry and history in the Hudson Highlands. Then over to Main Street and down to the Hudson River and ice cream, with Storm King Mountain looming over us. It was a short mile along the rail platform and shore trail back to our cars. An interesting and varied excursion. Joining Georgette W were Annette C, Pete C, Ann C, Wendy J, Jean M, Lalita M, and Sayi N.