2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520
Phone: 610-582-8773
Fax: 610-582-2768
Open All Year
Overview. In the 18th century, iron making was one of the colonies' primary industries. Pennsylvania's rich stores of the principal materials -- iron ore, limestone, and forests for the charcoal -- made it an ideal spot for furnaces. In 1771, Mark Bird fired up the Hopewell Furnace west of Philadelphia. Until 1883, it produced raw iron, cookware, and stoves. Preserving the rural plantation in its antebellum appearance, this 848-acre site includes the blast furnace, ironmaster's house, and several outlying buildings.What to see and do. Wear comfortable outdoor shoes for your walking tour through the park's wooded acres. At the visitor center, open from 9 AM to 5 PM year-round, you can watch several captioned video programs introducing you to the history of plantation-scale iron making. Outside, trails lead you through the plantation to the 14 restored buildings, most of which are handicapped-accessible. You can't miss the ironmaster's mansion or the main blast furnace. During the summer, watch for living history programs as well as molding and casting demonstrations. If you explore the longer trails, you'll come across the charcoal hearths, where trees from the surrounding woods were reduced to char. On Establishment Day in August and Apple Harvest Day in September, you can watch a charcoal burn (call ahead for exact dates). On the longer hikes through forest, keep an eye out for local species of birds and animals. Finish up your day with a picnic on the grounds or in adjacent French Creek State Park, whose trails connect to this park's. Starting with sheep-shearing in May, the park offers special events year round. Call or write ahead for details. A wheelchair is provided at the park. With two weeks notice, guided tours and two kinds of hands-on tours are available to educational groups. Pets: Leashed pets are permitted. Fees: A nominal entrance fee is charged.
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