Being a resident of New Jersey I was unaware at how many and how influential the Iron Works of New Jersey were. I learned at the museum on site that Pompton Lakes (my current home town) also had an Iron Works. It forced me to ponder:
What happens when history falls apart?
Is history ever forgotten forever?
How do we remember it?
Is there a better way?
For more information on Long Pond Ironworks, please visit their official site by clicking here.
I like the images you include here. It makes me think that rather than being forgotten, some history is sitting around waiting to be discovered again.
ReplyDeleteI might have mentioned this is class, but Marconi thought that that noise never disappears, and that if we could develop a machine that was fine-tuned enough to pick it up we could in effect listen to the past. Looking the photo that demonstrates contemplating a wall, I start to think about fine tuning ourselves...
I love the image of the chair. Was it so loved that no one could bear to throw it out?
ReplyDeleteThe chair is what prompted this line of thought. I fell in love with that chair too.
ReplyDeleteI pass by the Long Pond Iron Works on a regular basis, I live in the neighboring town of West Milford. I noticed that one of the buildings just received a new roof and there was a big sign outside thanking those who donated. Due to our country's current economic situation and the tight budgets of many local municipalities, I believe historical preservation is moving further and further down the list of our priorities. I am not sure if there is a solution that will meet everyone's needs. Volunteers are keeping many of New Jersey's historical sites alive (live the Long Pond Iron Works), but will the next generation, our students continue to preserve the past or choose to forget it?
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