On Sunday, May 15, archaeologist Jim Wosochlo will present his program “Mexican Petroglyphs.” Sponsored by the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, the free program will begin at 2 p.m. in the Hopewell Furnace Conference Room.
Petroglyphs are carved etchings on rocks. Former president of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Jim Wosochlo of Hamburg photographed the carvings in Northern Mexico, which at that time was not open to visitors. Some of the petroglyphs are believed to be 6,000 years old. Mexican authorities are currently considering opening the area to tourists.
The National Park Service has been a leading agency in both domestic and international archaeology. Hopewell Furnace has been the subject of extensive archaeological research. The same archaeologists who worked in Jamestown worked at Hopewell including such pioneers as John L. Cotter, Thor Borresen, J.C. Fisher Motz, Leland Abel, J.C. Harrington and Paul J. F. Schumacher.
Established in 1994, the Friends of Hopewell Furnace is the official non-profit fundraising arm of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. A 501(C)3 citizen organization, its mission is to support the preservation, maintenance and programs of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Donations to the Friends may be tax deductible according to the rules set by the Internal Revenue Service.
While at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site visitors are encouraged to go into the village, tour the buildings, see Hopewell’s water wheel and learn about iron making and why Hopewell Furnace is important to our nation’s history. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, the park is located five miles south of Birdsboro, off Route 345. For more information visit www.friendsofhopewellfurn.org.