Celebrate May with the historians of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association. On Saturday, May 19 from 7 am to 2 pm; families are invited to a day of many things to do at Joanna Furnace Iron Works. This means numerous engaging historical activities to meet everyone’s fancy.
The Pancake and Sausage Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., $6.50 for adults, $4 for children aged 6 to 11, five and under eat free. The menu includes fresh country sausage, pancakes, orange juice, coffee and will be served in the Mule Stable Dining Area. Other foods will be available throughout the day.
Plant and Flower Sale Plus Historical Herb Garden:
A large variety of spring and summer flowers, shrubs and decorative items for the home will be available to purchase. Plants will be available for sale on a donation basis.
Anyone wishing to donate plants and garden supplies for the sale shall drop them off on Friday, May 18th at Joanna Furnace.
The Hay Creek herb specialists will be in the Joanna Furnace Herb Garden where visitors can also learn about the 18th & 19th Century “4 square” herb garden. Here visitors will learn about the medicinal and culinary uses of herbs found in the Joanna Furnace herb garden which is just like those found at homesteads of early Joanna Furnace workers.
May Hay Creek Flea Market:After breakfast, the entire family can shop for that special basement or attic treasure in the HCVHA flea market, which is open from 7:00 to 2:00. Anyone interested in having a stand in the flea market is more than welcome. Space reservations are not required. Flea market set up begins at 6:00 a.m. Vendors with car parts, mechanical technology items, antiques, child or household items are welcome to participate.
To register for a booth contact Kathleen at 610.914.8152. The stand fee is $10, and stands are available on a first-come basis. Previous flea markets have included household, antique and vintage items, tools, books, children’s clothing, toys and more.
Hay Creek Classic Car and Motorcycle Show:
The historic site will be transformed into a wide-ranging display of classic and antique automobiles plus motorcycles. Any proud owner of a restored vehicle is invited to show his pride and joy. Persons wishing to show a car, truck or motorcycle should plan to arrive between 7 and 11 a.m. For more information about the vehicle show please contact Cliff at 484-529-9078.
The classic car and motorcycle exhibit will be enhanced by other technology exhibits, a hill climb and prizes for show winners. The hill climb at Joanna Furnace this year will have two classes – antique cars & show cars. The timed competition will require vehicles to climb the old Furnace Road and make two stops to “plant and cover a potato in a basket”. Awards will be given to the hill climb winners. At 1:15 pm the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association will offer a special parade at the event to honor all military personnel. All veterans and current servicemen are welcome to be a part of this parade.
Historic Site Self-Guided Tours:
The introductory 20-minute video on the history of the Joanna Furnace industry and community will be shown beginning at 9 am in the Blowing Engine House.
Self-Guided tours of the 200-year-old iron furnace site will be on-going after 9 am. Interpreters will be greeting guests in the restored Blacksmith Shop, Casting House, Office/Store and Charcoal House Museum.
What’s Next at Historic Joanna Furnace:
These monthly Hay Creek events are designed to have visitors learn about specific aspects of Historic Joanna Furnace and the Hay Creek Valley . . . the history and importance to 18th, 19th and early 20th-century life in the tri-county area. For 2018, May’s Third Saturday event will be the last of the season.
The next big event will be the Ironmaster’s Wedding Historic Dinner Theater event on June 16th. This event is a dinner theater program commemorating the wedding of the last Joanna Furnace Ironmaster L. Heber Smith and Ella Jane (Jennie) Grubb in 1868. The program will consist of a professionally acted wedding ceremony, an elegant sit-down wedding dinner, and a reception with dancing to post Civil War music. The wedding will be a “by reservation” event only. The HCVHA is proud to be partnering with Fecho Productions, Genesius Theater and Shady Maple Catering and Bakery. Other event partners include Zerbe Retirement Community, Knights Rental, Masthoff Press, Knies Insurance and White Chimneys Estate. For more information, check out www.haycreek.org.
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 all events 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.
