Hopewell Village Eastbound
Posted by: 
Gosffo
N 40° 16.992 W 075° 48.123
18T E 431820 N 4459498
Hopewell Village, 19th century Iron Plantation.
Waymark Code: WM6D5
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 01/22/2006
Views: 28
Hopewell Village, a National Historic Site, is a fine example of a 19th century iron plantation. There are 14 restored buildings. (blast furnace, iron master's mansion, blacksmith shop, barn, workers homes, colliers hut (he made the charcoal) and others) The furnace was in operation from 1771 to 1883. Mark Bird was the founder. He produced iron maily for stoves, but also kettles, machinery, grates, cannon shot and shells. (Revolution War)
I have visited the site a few times. They have an apple orchard and you can pick and buy apples. (common and unusual varieties) And yes, rumor has it I was down there picking apples with my grandchildren when an apple fell from the tree and hit me in the head! My grandson, age 3, thought that was really funny!!!! One of my favorite days was the Women of Hopewell. We went from building to building listening to women "pretend" they were b ack in the old days. Since it was raining, we had the place almost to ourselves. These find ladies dressed in 19th century dress told us their names (real people who truly lived and worked here) and told us what their days and nights where like. Other events are sheep shearing, the making of charcoal, harvest time and the Christmas Event.
Marker Name: Hopewell Village
County: Berks
Date Dedicated: 03/29/1947
Marker Type: Roadside
Location: U.S. 422 east,Baumstown
Category: Business & Industry, Iron
Website: [Web Link]
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