19th Century Charcoal Production in Woodbury for the Iron and Brass Industries
While hiking along the trails in Woodbury and surrounding towns, hikers occasionally come across large raised circular mounds that appear odd and out of place. These 40-foot wide circles are the remains of charcoal hearths on which colliers burned logs to create charcoal used to power Connecticut's nineteenth century iron, steel, and brass industries. At that time, Connecticut's forests would have looked far different after hills were stripped of trees and wood piled to make charcoal. Colliers would arrange the cut wood into particular patterns up to fifteen feet tall, cover the logs with leaves and dirt, and then set fire to the mound so that the wood would bake. After ten to fourteen days, the resultant charcoal was raked out, cooled, and transported by carts along charcoal roads to industrial buyers.
The remains of hundreds of old charcoal hearths have been located in Woodbury and surrounding area. Each hearth contains small remnants of 100 – 150-year-old charcoal. Stonewalls and charcoal hearths are considered archaeological artifacts of past agricultural, industrial and forestry history, but unlike stonewalls, few people are aware of charcoal hearths.
Local historians Peter and Barbara Rzasa will provide a PowerPoint presentation describing the history of local charcoal production. Learn who built the old hearths, what the charcoal was used for and how can charcoal hearths be found today. Tales of the local colliers will be shared. Samples of 150-year old charcoal will be brought for viewing.
Peter Rzasa earned his B.S. degree in Forest Chemistry from S.U.N.Y. College of Environmental Science. Barbara obtained a B.S degree in art from Southern Connecticut State University and is a retired graphic designer who uses her artistic skills to create nature-based watercolor paintings. The Rzasas’ goal is to encourage people, especially children, to look more closely at our natural and historical world and to become more aware of its hidden wonders.