Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
2 Mark Bird Lane
Elverson, Pennsylvania 19520
Phone
Visitor Information
(610) 582-8773
Explore How American Industrialization Began!
Hot, smoky, noisy --- these words describe how Hopewell Furnace
looked from 1771 to 1883. Hopewell and other "iron
plantations" laid the foundations for America's iron and
steel industry. Today, the site stands as an example of America's
development during the industrial revolution. The historic
buildings stand, open and inviting -- testaments to the strength
and endurance of Hopewell's people.
Things to Do
Visitor Center: First stop should be at the park's Visitor
Center. Inside are museum exhibits, restrooms, a bookstore,
audio-visual programs and staff who can inform and orient visitors
to the site.
Self-Guided Tour: Visitors can take a self-guided walking
tour of the historic furnace community, enter its many buildings
and visit the animals on the farm.
Living History Programs and Demonstrations:
Programs are
presented during summer months and during special events at other
times of the year.
Picnic: Eat under the trees in the park's picnic area or
spread out a blanket in the historic apple orchard.
Hike: Walk the many miles of blazed trails and historic
roadways that travel through Hopewell and neighboring French Creek
State Park.
Watch Wildlife: Enjoy bird watching, deer watching or
looking for some of the more reclusive animal species that reside
in the park.
Become a Junior Ranger: Children may participate in the
park's Junior Ranger Program. Each child receives a booklet in
which they answer questions and find important items while they
tour the park. Upon completion of the booklet, each child receives
a Junior Ranger badge.
Pick Apples: During September and October visitors are
allowed to pick from the many historic varieties of apples in the
orchard. A charge is collected for the amount of apples picked.
History
The history of Hopewell Furnace spans two centuries -- from its
untouched natural state as a part of the great eastern American
forests -- to its rebirth as a recreational and cultural history
area. In between are the stories of industrial development,
technology, community, craftsmanship, and natural resources that
together changed America. In this section of our web site, you can
learn more about the many stories Hopewell Furnace has to tell of
the history of our nation, people and land.
- Bethesda Church
- The Apple Orchard at Hopewell Furnace
- Charcoal
- Hopewell Furnace's Water Wheel
- Hopewell's Iron Ore Mines
- Hopewell Furnace in the American Revolution
- African-Americans at Hopewell Furnace
- The Miners of Hopewell Furnace
- Woman's Work at Hopewell Furnace
Did You Know?
Early in the American Revolution, colonial ordnance inspector
Daniel Joy conducted a sort of school for Pennsylvania ironmasters
on the proper method of casting cannon. As a result, in 1776-77
approximately 100 "great guns" were cast at Hopewell
Furnace and accepted by the Continental Navy.
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