Jump into spring with the historians of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association. On Saturday, April 21 from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, families are invited to the Early American craftsman Day at Joanna Furnace. This event includes numerous engaging historical activities to meet everyone’s fancy.
Start the day with the April Hay Creek Iron Master’s Breakfast Buffet. The delicious Hay Creek Iron Master’s Breakfast Buffet will be served in the Mule Stable from 7 a.m. to noon. The menu includes Fresh country sausage, bacon, scrapple, ham, creamed chipped beef, pancakes, waffles, eggs, country fries, fruit, toast, orange juice, coffee and more. The breakfast prices are Adults $9.50, Children (5-11) $4.50, Children under 5 FREE
Meet the Joanna Furnace Villagers and Take Part in Early American Craftsman events/activities. Visitors can learn about the traditional four-square herb garden, the herbs and their uses in the household. Visitors can take part in the Candle Making process. The Moulder will demonstrate metal casting show you how early iron products were traditionally made at the furnace. The village “Smithy” will be working his forge in the Blacksmith Shop. Demonstrations of open-fire cooking and baking processes will be on-going. Self-guided tours of the historic complex, with the Black Smith Shop, Casting House, Office/Store and Charcoal House Museum open with interpreters starting at 9 a.m. The 20-minute introductory video “This is Joanna Furnace” will be showing the history of the Joanna Furnace Iron Works and Community continuously from 9 a.m.
The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association opens its doors to the community and allows individuals to sell their flea market items at our breakfast flea market. In addition, non-profit organizations are welcome to participate in this flea market as well to promote their own organizations. Booths are free to all non-profit groups. Vendor setup begins at 6 a.m. Each vendor must supply own table(s). Flea market booth sites are priced at $10 each. For more information about the monthly Hay Creek Flea Market participation or to reserve a space in advance, call Kathleen Rhode at 610-914-8152
All Joanna Furnace events are planned to have visitors learn about specific aspects of the furnace community’s history and its major importance to 18th, 19th and early 20th-century life in the tri-county area.
Note:. Each month during spring, the HCVHA focuses on a different event theme and explores various aspects of the 227-year-old iron making community.
Next Month, May 19: The HCVHA will be honoring American veterans and will host the annual Hay Creek Classic Car Show & Plant Sale.
The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the preservation and education of America’s iron heritage. Net proceeds from this event support the research, restoration and educational initiatives of Joanna Furnace, a regional historically significant charcoal-fueled iron furnace.
The Historic Joanna Furnace Iron Works is three miles north of Morgantown, on Route 10. Turn on Furnace Road. Admission and parking are free for these monthly Saturday morning events.
Anyone wishing to find out more information about any of the programs at Joanna Furnace can visit the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association website at www.haycreek.org or call the HCVHA Office at 610-286-0388.
