The Columbia Paper reports that the Friends of Taconic State Park announced last week that the Copake Iron Works historic site in Taconic State Park has been designated a Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site. Friends of Taconic State Park says the site is one of the most intact examples of 19th century industrial ironmaking in the Northeast. It was an industrial ruin until 2008, when the group formed. The ironworks operated from 1845 until 1903 and today's remains include a blast furnace, blowing engine house, a machine shop with original equipment and artifacts, an original condition ironworkers’ residence, a Carpenter-Gothic style office building, and the residence of Isaac Chesbrough, one of the first ironmasters for the site. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.