The Nutmeg State has a lot of history, and there are many places you can go to experience it. There are so many great museums in Connecticut that cover everything from cartoon characters to radios. But we have a bevy of beautiful natural landscapes here to explore, and there’s nothing better than being outside on a pleasant day in New England. Museums can feel a little stuffy when it’s nice weather and you’d rather be outside. One great compromise where you can be outside and still experience educational value is to visit a historical park. We’ve got several parks throughout the state that feature natural beauty and historical value, and arguably the best historical park in Connecticut is Beckley Iron Furnace State Park in North Canaan.

The park only spans about seven acres, so it's pretty small, but it's a truly lovely area right along the north bank of the Blackberry River. Today, this is a rural area of Litchfield County, but it was once filled with industry.
Beckley Furnace
The Beckley Furnace, a 19th-century iron-making blast furnace, is preserved here. The furnace was used to produce pig iron from 1847 to 1919.
M. Showers/Google Local
Several elements of the machinery used to produce iron are still visible here. You can see the 40-foot stone furnace and a stone dam.
Beckley Furnace

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There are even salamanders here! These massive hunks of metal are what's drained from the hearth of a furnace during the metal-making process.
Beckley Furnace
The park is free to access and it's a great place to sit and contemplate nature. There are picnic tables just beside the water, so you can enjoy an al fresco meal while listening to the roar of the river.
ClipTy/Google Local
This is such a scenic and fascinating area at any time of year!
Monica Claros/Google Local

For more information about this unique historical park in Connecticut, check out the Beckley Furnace website or Facebook page.

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Beckley Iron Furnace State Park, 140 Lower Rd, East Canaan, CT 06024, USA