Rekindling the Flame: The History of the Kent Iron Furnace and a New Interpretive Perspective

Nearly a million visitors flock to northwestern Connecticut each year to enjoy the natural wonders of autumn leaf peeping excursions, spend a snowy winter day on the ski slopes, or simply soak in the rural charm. Unfortunately, many visitors never know that in the not-so-distant past, the area had a much different aesthetic than the bucolic hills and densely forested river valley they experience today. If we were to turn the clock back a little over 100 years, visitors to the region would experience an entirely altered landscape, devoid of trees, the air thick with smoke, bustling with the sights and sounds of the number one industry, ironmaking. Today, the only obvious evidence of the industry that once dominated the region is the stone ruins of the iron furnace complexes, which stand like sentinels among the trees. However, if you know where to look, you can find traces of the industry’s impact on the landscape and discover its role in shaping the region as we know it today. One such place can be found in Kent, Connecticut, at the Eric Sloane Museum & Kent Iron Furnace. Here, in this quaint New England town, nestled along the banks of the Housatonic River, a 30-foot granite tower protrudes from the hillside, drawing the attention of curiosity seekers and history enthusiasts alike. While the structure is a unique historic landmark, its history, interpretation, and preservation have undergone many changes since the last furnace fires were extinguished in 1892. Since 1969, the Eric Sloane Museum, as part of the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, has worked to promote and preserve the furnace and its history. Recently, the museum embarked on a new approach to rekindle interest in the Kent Iron Furnace and northwestern Connecticut’s industrial history.