Roxbury Land Trust president and geologist John Smoliga will lead the group along the historic Donkey Trail, examining the mining operation followed by the refining and smelting process. The geology, mining history and furnace operations will be covered.
Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, Mine Hill Preserve is the site of a 19th-century iron mine and furnace complex. The Roxbury Land Trust acquired the preserve in 1978 and restored and stabilized the stone and brick structural remains of the furnace complex.
This annual post-Thanksgiving walk is held in memory of Dave Beglan, historian and director of the Roxbury Land Trust, who died in October 2017. As a Roxbury resident, Dave volunteered countless hours to the study of Mine Hill, initially working tirelessly on obtaining the funding which allowed RLT to procure the Mine Hill Preserve and many other land preserves. He remained active in the Trust as the historian and gave his time freely to the betterment of Roxbury.
The group will meet in the Mine Hill Preserve parking lot on Mine Hill Road in Roxbury. Please wear appropriate shoes for a 3.5 mile moderate to strenuous walk with some inclines/declines. Inclement weather will cancel the event.