Welcome back to National Parks & other public lands with T! If you are seeing this on Twitter or Facebook, please visit the blog to see all of the photos and read the story by clicking the link.
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Pennsylvania preserves a 19th century iron plantation. It was founded in 1771 by ironmaster Mark Bird and built around a charcoal-fired cold-blast furnace. It was prosperous in the early 1800s until the industry began turning to anthracite powered furnaces instead of charcoal.
At the visitor center, we watched the introductory film on the history of Hopewell and the people who lived there. We also saw a media clip in the back of the museum which featured rangers harvesting timber and making charcoal the old-fashioned way.
Then we took a self-guided walking tour around the village. There are 14 restored structures including the blast furnace, the ironmaster’s house, company store and workers homes.
There is also a barn and pasture with livestock and an orchard where you can pick apples. We saw a flock of sheep and a horse. The park periodically holds living history demonstrations.
Hopewell is adjacent to French Creek State Park. We saw at least one trail leading from the National Park site into the State Park.
Location: 2 Mark Bird Ln, Elverson, PA 19520
Designation: National Historic Site
Date designated or established: August 3, 1938
Date of my visit: 10/4/2019
I have been there many times. I love to pick apples.
When we were there, there may have been some people in the orchards, but we were pressed for time
I’ve also been there a number of times. Interesting place to visit. Not far from my home. Great Images you’ve taken.
Thanks so much 😊
I’m so glad places like this are preserved to help us understand what life was like for our ancestors.
Me too 😊
Did the site harvest Bog Iron?
No, this is in Pennsylvania, not south jersey. They had pit mines on site
OK thanks
This is a neat hidden treasure. It is worth a visit.
Yes! Thanks 😊
You are welcome.
Beautiful photos. What a great historical site. I’ve never been to Pennsylvania.
Thanks 😊. Lots of great history in the Philadelphia area