Town of Warwick presents recognition and appreciation award to Donald 'Doc' Bayne

WARWICK — On Thursday evening, Nov. 1, in a brief ceremony held at the Warwick Town Hall, Supervisor Michael Sweeton and Town of Warwick Historian Dr. Richard Hull presented a special award to Daniel "Doc" Bayne.
In presenting the award, a certificate of recognition and appreciation, Hull stated: "If any of you don't know of Doc Bayne, you should."
Hull went on to explain that Bayne, president of Friends of Sterling Forest State Park, has done extensive field and archival research in that huge parkland where he served as park ranger, historian and environmental educator.
Those thousands of visitors to Sterling Forest who do know Doc Bayne were most likely introduced to him during one of his many walking tours, where he explained the mining and natural history of the iron mines.
That earliest Warwick industry provided iron resources essential to winning independence during the American Revolution and preserving the Union in the Civil War.
"I can think of few individuals," said Hull, "who know as much of the area's history and lore as Doc. He is indeed a walking and talking encyclopedia."
In addition to his role as president of Friends of Sterling Forest State Park, Bayne, an environmental educator as well as a historian, has served on the boards of the Orange County Historical Society, the Orange County Chapter of the New York State Archeological Association and the Fort Montgomery Battle Site.
Bayne said that during one of his own private hikes through Sterling Forest, he discovered the forge that made the chain, which was placed across the Hudson River during the American Revolution. Bayne explained that this chain, manufactured by Peter Townsend in Sterling Forest, prevented the British invasion of the New England Colonies.
- Roger Gavan