Sterling Forest History Talk - Special Speaker

The Chain that Saved the Colonies

To stop the British invasion of the New England Colonies during the American Revolution, Peter Townsend manufactured a Great Chain at Sterling Forest for  the Continental Army. The chain was placed across the Hudson River at West Point. Please join Doc Bayne on Thursday, January 10 at 7 p.m. for an eye opening presentation on how he discovered the forge in Sterling Forest that made the chain.

Doc will share the history of the iron industry that started in 1736 in Sterling Forest and how the Sterling Forge was used to create the Great Chain that was placed across the Hudson. Donald “Doc” Bayne has been interested in history since the age of 8, after retiring from Minolta, Doc became a Forest Ranger for Sterling Forest State Park, and later accepted the position of Environmental Educator and Historian for the park. Doc has acquired a vast knowledge of the forest, animals, Native Americans, and iron history.

In his position he planned and conducted history and nature hikes in both Sterling Forest and Bear Mountain State Parks. He has lectured on many aspects of the environment such as the iron history of New York State. Doc is a passionate researcher and educator with the ability to feel the history of the land and transmit it to the people.

This event is free and open to the public.