A local site will soon be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service and 300 years of the iron and steel industry in Pennsylvania with a series of free, all day events of Aug. 25 and Aug. 27.
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site will host two days of events and activities will commemorate two important anniversaries. The National Park Service was created on August 25, 1916. National Park units across the nation, including Hopewell, are celebrating this important occasion. Additionally, the first iron works in Pennsylvania was established at Pine Forge in Berks County by Thomas Rutter in 1716. Both events are significant to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site’s story and resources.
Common to both August 25 and August 27 are demonstrations and activities throughout Hopewell Furnace. There will be molding and casting demonstrations, quilting, fiber arts demonstrations, hearth cooking, dutch oven cooking, bake oven demonstrations, and games for children. Hopewell Furnace will also officially introduce its new smart phone application as part of the two day celebration.
On Thursday, Aug. 25, at 1 p.m. there will be a presentation on the National Parks of Alaska in the Visitor Center. From 2-3 p.m., there will be a short speaking program and a performance by the Pine Forge Academy Choir. As part of the Iron and Steel celebration, there will also be self-guided tours of Hopewell Furnace offered from 2-4 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 27, offers a full day of activities. At noon, historian and author Dan Graham will offer a talk and book signing featuring his new book, a biography on Hopewell Furnace’s founder, Mark Bird. Local actress and playwright, Christine Emmert, will perform the one act play ‘From Out the Fiery Furnace’ in the Hopewell Furnace Visitor Center auditorium at 1 p.m.
The Ringgold Band will begin playing at 1:45 p.m. at the Ironmaster’s Mansion. From 2-4 p.m. the American Historical Theatre will be presenting first person vignettes on the front porch of the Ironmaster’s House: President Teddy Roosevelt at 2 p.m., President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at 2:45, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at 3:30. As with August 25, there will also be self-guided tours of Hopewell Furnace offered from 2-4 p.m.
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is located at 2 Mark Bird Lane at the corner of State Route 345 and Hopewell Road, Elverson. Hopewell Furnace is open seven days a week through Columbus Day weekend. The regular operating hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Site Manager David Blackburn at (610) 582-8773, ext. 230.
