# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Ashes of Industry: 19th Century Charcoal Production in Northwestern Connecticut
- **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 22 Oct, 2026 at 01:00 pm – Thu, 22 Oct, 2026 at 03:00 pm (-04:00)
- **Event Description**: While hiking along the trails in Northwest Connecticut, 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 its hills were stripped of trees and wood piled to make charcoal.  Charcoal burners, called colliers, arranged the cut wood into particular patterns up to fifteen feet tall, covered 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 thousands of old charcoal hearths have been located in Litchfield County and bordering towns. Each hearth contained small remnants of 100 – 150-year-old charcoal. Evidence of collier’s shelters and cooking hearths has also been found. 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 in Northwest Connecticut including White Memorial.   Learn who built the old hearths, what the charcoal was used for and how charcoal hearths can be found today.  Tales of the local colliers will be shared.  Samples of 150-year old charcoal will be brought for viewing.

About Peter and Barbara Rzasa: 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.  

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Carriage House, LUNCHEON INCLUDED!,
 All tickets: $25.00,
 Please pre-register: https://pci.jotform.com/242345712748157/prefill/6a36f314646161bf1e47ae3d6f05
Registration closes October 19. This program is presented as part of America’s 250th in Litchfield, CT
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/litchfield/ashes-of-industry-19th-century-charcoal-production-in-northwestern-connecticut/200030298267200
- **Event Categories**: art, trips-adventures, trekking, science-fair
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 38

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Litchfield
- **state**: CT
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 80 Whitehall Road, Litchfield, CT, United States, Connecticut 06759
- **lat**: 41.72626
- **long**: -73.21583
- **full address**: 80 Whitehall Road, Litchfield, CT, United States, Connecticut 06759

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Ashes of Industry: 19th Century Charcoal Production in Northwestern Connecticut
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/bb8afff36f239d050c0a4c1b4abb1394f56ce059330dae360b2c0ad6540a5a4b-rimg-w1200-h797-dc383838-gmir?v=1785602840

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Ashes of Industry: 19th Century Charcoal Production in Northwestern Connecticut being held?
  - **A:** Ashes of Industry: 19th Century Charcoal Production in Northwestern Connecticut takes place on Thu, 22 Oct, 2026 at 01:00 pm to Thu, 22 Oct, 2026 at 03:00 pm at 80 Whitehall Road, Litchfield, CT, United States, Connecticut 06759.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Ashes of Industry: 19th Century Charcoal Production in Northwestern Connecticut?
  - **A:** Ashes of Industry: 19th Century Charcoal Production in Northwestern Connecticut is organized by The White Memorial Conservation Center.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Ashes of Industry: 19th Century Charcoal Production in Northwestern Connecticut is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Litchfield, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Ashes of Industry: 19th Century Charcoal Production in Northwestern Connecticut sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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