At the invitation of local author and archaeologist Wendy Harris, 18 members of the Roebling Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archaeology explored just a few of the often-overlooked points of interest in the town of Wawarsing.

Society members include not just archaeologists, but those whose professional interests involve history, especially as it relates to industry.

"I'm a sociologist and historian by training," said Scotty Embree, and I've worked in places where the center of the economy has collapsed." She is familiar with ruins of formerly powerful mills, shabby old hotels, and the remnants of an earlier industrial area like the once-busy D&H Canal.

Fittingly, the tour included a special tour of the former playground of the great industrialists of the early 20th century, the Yama Farms Inn in Napanoch. Much of the rustic – but fabulous – complex is gone, but parts of a few of the massive stone structures remain hidden on the property, which is now privately owned and occupied.

Nancy and Sheila came along because, "There are places you just can't see unless you go with a tour, and you always get a lot of inside information."

Sheila played a role in preserving local history as supervisor of the Town of Woodbury, helping to create zoning that allowed the renovation for re-use of deteriorating old buildings that would otherwise have been lost.

They took note of the O&W train stations in Ellenville and Napanoch, one restored for use as a business by Barbara and Gary Hoff, the other by the Eastern Correctional Facility as a museum, and in the large industrial buildings that still stand in Ellenville. The old Sun Ray bottling works, now used as a factory by JM Originals, and the curious tunnel on the property also caught their attention.

Cragsmoor intrigued the visitors for a number of reasons. "It seemed like mythical, medieval place," she said, glancing around the interior of the old stone church. "And I'm interested in finding out more about the art colony as alternative living; how people build such a community."

Harris said there were lively discussions over dinner at Lock 31, and one of the group, a member of the Canal Society of New Jersey was able to give them an impromptu but informed talk on canals. Bill Rhoads, Professor Emeritus of Art History at SUNY New Paltz also had comments related to one of his specialties, architectural history.

Society President Lynn Rakos is already thinking of another trip to the area to catch some of the features they missed.

"There are so many spectacular things to see in the area," said archaeologist Arnold Pickman, who includes the Ice Caves at Sam's Point Preserve among them. "They all want to come back," said Harris of the group.