Pennsylvania

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

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Overview

In Hopewell, Pennsylvania, the proximity of iron ore, limestone, and charcoal led to this iron furnace’s success from 1771 to 1883.  It also needed water from French Creek to run the air blast machinery allowing the furnace to reach smelting temperature.  During the American Revolution, it produced cannon, shot, and shells for the Continental Navy.  The 848-acre National Historic Site was authorized in 1938, making it one of the oldest in the nation.

Highlights

Anthracite furnace, film, cast house, tenant houses, ironmaster’s mansion, Bethesda Church

Must-Do Activity

Start with the short film at the visitor center, then take the self-guided walk through the “iron plantation.”  Though the cold-blast charcoal process became outdated by 1883, the original furnace is still used each summer to produce aluminum products.  Other costumed interpreters depict village life from late June to Labor Day.  In September and October, visitors can pick 30 varieties of apples in the orchards for a small fee, similar to Capitol Reef National Park in Utah.

Best Trail

The site’s 12 miles of forested trails also connect into the neighboring French Creek State Park.

Instagram-worthy Photo

Inside the cast house, moulders cast molten iron into stove plates, cannonballs, and other products.

Peak Season

Summer and apple picking season

Hours

https://www.nps.gov/hofu/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Fees

None, but “you pick” apples cost $1 per pound

Road Conditions

Access roads are paved

Camping

French Creek State Park has more than 200 campsites with access to running water and showers.

Related Sites

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site (Massachusetts)

Valley Forge National Historical Park (Pennsylvania)

Independence National Historical Park (Pennsylvania)

  • Start your visit inside the NPS museum
  • Making charcoal was an important step in iron production
  • Tiff stands in an anthracite furnace that exploded
  • Scott at the furnace’s input chimney
  • Water from French Creek powered the air blast machinery
  • Franklin stove parts created at the furnace
  • Ironmaster’s mansion
  • Scott Inside the ironmaster’s mansion
  • Inside the ironmaster’s mansion

Explore More – How high of a temperature could the Hopewell Furnace reach when smelting?

8 thoughts on “Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site”

      1. No, there is a photo at the top of the post, above the title of you and Tiff standing by a huge tree in a swamp with what I’m pretty sure are cypress ‘knees’. That’s the way it’s displayed on my iPad anyway….

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