Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
N 40° 12.407 W 075° 46.416
18T E 434165 N 4450995
Take a step back in time and view life as it was when this furnace was active and viable. With 14 restored structures and an "historic" landscape, this is truly as real as a history lesson can be short of a time travel machine.
Waymark Code: WM38HB
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 02/25/2008
Views: 30
My visit to this National Historic Site was too short. Plan on spending 2 to 3 hours to enjoy each restored structure. There are audio "tour guides" for each building. With a push of a button, a narrator from a long ago era tells you the story and history of each structure. By actually listening and paying attention to all the history lessons you will have completed an earthcache called "Hopewell's Last Blast".
There are two passport cancellation stamps for your NPS Passport in the visitor center. The park rangers were really nice, helpful and very knowledgeable about the site & history. In the gift shop are all kinds of excellent items to purchase at very reasonable prices. Take a look at my pictures to get a flavor and understand why it is a must to visit this site.
My favorite places were the spring house, general store forging area and water wheel structure. For each building, there are interpretive displays to inform and teach. There is livestock all over the place and if you visit at the right time, there are staff dressed in period garb. Very cool!
This came from the NPS site: "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."
You will also discover this place made weapons for our navy during the Revolutionary War which simply adds to the charm and history of this wonderful place.
Write to
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
2 Mark Bird Lane
Elverson, Pennsylvania 19520
E-mail Us
Phone
Visitor Information
(610) 582-8773
Fax
(610) 582-2768
Street address:
R.D. #1, Box 345
(5 Miles S. of Birdsboro, Pine Swamp)
Elverson, PA USA
19520
County / Borough / Parish: Chester County
Year listed: 1966
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Periods of significance: 1750-1799, 1800-1824, 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899
Historic function: Domestic, Industry/Processing/Extraction
Current function: Recreation And Culture
Privately owned?: no
Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2008 To: 12/31/2008
Hours of operation: From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: [Web Link]
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.