Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Historically, the casting of iron products was an exact craft, and the moulders who practiced it were among the highest paid of ironworkers. It took years to gain the necessary skills, and the craft was often passed from father to son.

During this program, you can try your hand as a Hopewell molder! Experience the hands-on process of making a sand mold. Gain a better understanding of the craft of the molder and how they contributed to the furnace operation.

This program is free and family friendly. 

Join a park ranger to explore the historic buildings and landscape of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Learn more about the site's history as an iron-making community and beyond, the people who lived and worked here, and how places like this shaped the nation.

Tours start outside the Visitor Center and last approximately 45 minutes. The route will include uphill and downhill stretches, as well as uneven terrain. Restrooms and water fountains are located at the Visitor Center. This tour may be cancelled or modified in the event of inclement weather. For more information, call the Visitor Center at 610-582-8773.

Historically, the casting of iron products was an exact craft, and the moulders who practiced it were among the highest paid of ironworkers. It took years to gain the necessary skills, and the craft was often passed from father to son.

During this program, you can try your hand as a Hopewell molder! Experience the hands-on process of making a sand mold. Gain a better understanding of the craft of the molder and how they contributed to the furnace operation.

This program is free and family friendly. 

Join a park ranger to explore the historic buildings and landscape of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Learn more about the site's history as an iron-making community and beyond, the people who lived and worked here, and how places like this shaped the nation.

Tours start outside the Visitor Center and last approximately 45 minutes. The route will include uphill and downhill stretches, as well as uneven terrain. Restrooms and water fountains are located at the Visitor Center. This tour may be cancelled or modified in the event of inclement weather. For more information, call the Visitor Center at 610-582-8773.

Join us for our annual celebration of Independence Day! 

• Hear the winners of our annual essay contest and take part in a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The commemoration ceremony begins at 2:00 pm.

• See how molding and casting works and learn how processes like this contributed to the American Revolution. Rangers and volunteers will build a sand mold and cast in aluminum. Hour-long demonstrations begin at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. 

• Check out blacksmithing, wool dyeing, and flax spinning demonstrations (11:00 am - 2:00 pm). 

• Try your hand at writing with a quill pen (11:00 am - 2:00 pm).

• Learn how to make paper and discover the importance of paper to a place like Hopewell Furnace during the American Revolution and beyond (11:00 am - 2:00 pm).

Join a National Park Service Ranger at French Creek State Park for an exciting and educational fishing experience! Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to bait a hook, how to remove a fish from the hook, casting techniques, and the importance and sustainability of catch-and-release practices. This program is geared towards children but anglers of all ages are welcome.    We'll fish in Hopewell Lake, located in French Creek State Park. All minor participants must be accompanied by an adult. All participants 16 years and older must have a Pennsylvania Fishing license.  Licenses can be purchased here Buy a Fishing License/Permit | Fish and Boat Commission | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania but are not sold at French Creek.    All necessary equipment is provided.    Program may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.   

Join a National Park Service Ranger at the French Creek State Park Amphitheater for story time by the campfire!

We'll be reading "The Camping Trip that Changed America" by Barb Rosenstock. Follow along with Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir on their 3-day camping trip in Yosemite Valley - the trip that changed America! Learn about the history of the National Park Service and how Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site fits into America's best idea. 

Check out a yoga class overlooking the historic furnace complex!

The Friends of Hopewell Furnace are sponsoring this free yoga class at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. This event supports the Healthy Parks Healthy People movement founded on the idea that parks can be gateways to good health—for people and the planet.

Dragonfly Yoga and Fitness of Pottstown will lead the class. Participants are encouraged to bring a water bottle and their own yoga mat or beach towel. 

The mission of the Friends of Hopewell Furnace is to support the operation, preservation, and interpretation of the resources of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.  Annually the Friends have assisted the National Park Service in carrying out the goals of the park to protect and serve the landscape and to provide for its enjoyment by this and future generations through supporting various activities related to the park.  

Hike, paddle, and fish across Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and French Creek State Park! Park rangers from both parks will lead this all-day event.    Participants must be 10 years and older. For children 10-18 years old, parental supervision is required.   Participants must be able to:

Hike from Hopewell Furnace NHS to Hopewell Lake in French Creek State Park and back again, approximately 1.5 miles round trip.

Manage a 1-person kayak.

Sign waiver of responsibility for paddling a 1-person kayak.

Commit 4 hours for completion of the three program elements.

Fishing poles, bait, kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided. Participants can work towards completion of a Junior Angler activity booklet and earn a special badge.   Please bring a bagged lunch, drinking water, sunscreen, bug spray, and appropriate footwear for hiking and kayaking.   Program schedule:

• 10:00 am — Hike from Hopewell Furnace to Hopewell Lake in French Creek State Park
• 11:00 am — Kayak on Hopewell Lake with rangers
• 12:00 pm — Break for lunch in French Creek State Park
• 12:30 pm — Fishing on Hopewell Lake with rangers
• 1:30 pm — Hike back to Hopewell Furnace

This program may be cancelled or modified in the event of inclement weather. 

Come celebrate the 87th anniversary of Hopewell Furnace becoming a National Historic Site!

Join us for a day full of hands-on fun and learning:

• See how aluminum molding and casting works
• Watch exciting historic weapons demonstrations
• See historic recipes made in a 19th-century bake oven
• Witness a charcoal burn using historic methods
• Visit with local historic iron themed historic sites
• Discover fiber arts and crafts
• And so much more!

The event is free and family friendly. Event may be modified or cancelled in the case of inclement weather.