Amenia officially accepts gift of restored 1825 charcoal kilns

An old-fashioned handshake finalized the transfer of ownership of the Gridley charcoal kilns to the Town of Amenia on Thursday, July 3. Restorer of the kilns Bernie Leighton represented owner Eric Bommer at the event. He is shaking hands with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman. Town Historian Betsy Strauss, center, spoke of the history and unveiled a new permanent sign detailing the site’s importance to the iron industry of the 19th century.
Photo by Leila Hawken