ELVERSON, PA — Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site invites the public to experience its annual sheep shearing event and the kickoff of its spring charcoal burn on Saturday, May 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event offers free, family-friendly programs that blend hands-on demonstrations with a rich exploration of 19th-century industrial and agricultural traditions.
Visitors can watch sheep shearing every 20 minutes beginning at 11:30 a.m., with the final session scheduled at approximately 3:30 p.m. The event provides an opportunity to learn why sheep were shorn historically and explore the many uses of wool in the 19th century. Complementing this, staff and volunteers will showcase fiber arts, blacksmithing, and baking techniques that were vital to the community’s daily life. For younger attendees, park rangers will host “Storytime with the Ranger” at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
The day’s events will also feature the beginning of a week-long charcoal burn, a process once essential to furnace operations. At 11:00 a.m., volunteer colliers will light the woodpile, and guests can witness the initial steps of transforming wood into charcoal. The burn will continue non-stop for seven days, culminating with the raking of the coals a week later on Saturday, May 17.
“Support for these programs comes from the Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site,” the park noted, emphasizing the community-driven effort behind these engaging public events.
Rich Historical Legacy
Established in 1771 by Ironmaster Mark Bird, Hopewell Furnace epitomized the important role of charcoal-fueled iron-making in the United States’ early industrial growth. The site remained operational for 112 years and became a National Historic Site on August 3, 1938. It preserves the industrial-era community, offering visitors a window into life and work in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Visiting Information
Hopewell Furnace’s facilities are open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free, and the park is located at 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520, just five miles south of Birdsboro, off Route 345. For more information, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/hofu.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in early American history through engaging demonstrations and activities that shine a light on traditional craftsmanship and industrial innovation.
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