Hopewell Furnace is commemorating its 250th anniversary! Explore Hopewell’s journey from an industrial site to a National Historic Site with the photographs below.
18th Century
The date 1771 is inscribed inside the furnace stack
NPS Photo
Second-generation iron maker Mark Bird established Hopewell Furnace in c.1771. After overextending his finances during the American Revolution, Bird lost the property in a Sheriff’s sale in 1788.
6-Plate cast iron stove widely known as the "Mark Bird Stove"
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The earliest known casting produced at Hopewell Furnace is said to be the Mark Bird Stove, currently on display in the Visitor Center. It is a 6-plate stove in the rococo style and is one of the finest examples of rococo art from the period. Inscribed with names and dates such as “Mark Bird”, “Hopewell Furnace” and “1772”, the markings commemorate Bird’s ownership of the furnace.
19th Century
Example of a ledger used by the furnace company
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After a series of owners, Hopewell was purchased by the partnership of Daniel Buckley, Thomas Brooke and Matthew Brooke in 1800. The two families continued to own Hopewell through its closure in 1883, and later its purchase by the Federal Government in 1935.
Company ledgers provide us with a historical record of the Buckley and Brooke partnership. Ledgers were used to document purchases, credit, debit and much more, providing us a glimpse into the daily lives of furnace workers by showing employee’s names, pay scale, food and other expenses.
10-Plate Cast Iron Stoves on view in the Visitor Center
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Hopewell Furnace’s most prosperous time was between the years of 1825 and 1844. Favorable market conditions and the business prowess of Ironmaster Clement Brooke aided in Hopewell’s profits. During this time, Hopewell mostly produced cast iron stoves. After 1844, however, Hopewell switched to solely manufacturing pig iron bars.
Cast House in 1887
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Taken in 1887, the earliest known photograph of Hopewell Furnace shows a deteriorating Cast House. By 1883, Hopewell’s cold blast furnace was no longer profitable and could not compete with steel factories in places such as Pittsburgh and Bethlehem. As a result, the furnace and associated buildings were abandoned and deteriorated over time.
Unidentified woman standing in front of the furnace stack with ruins of Cast House and Bridge House in view
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After iron production ceased in 1883, the Brooke family retained ownership of the property. The land was used for farming, charcoal making, and dairy production. By the 1930s, however, most of the buildings were in a state of disrepair.
20th Century
CCC members pose for a picture before planting trees
NPS photo
In the 1930s, the Federal Government purchased the Brooke property for a public works relief project. Members of the Civilian Conservation Corps were assigned to develop French Creek Recreational Demonstration Area. Due to Hopewell’s connection to colonial history and the United States’ industrial past, the site was designated as Hopewell Village National Historic Site in 1938. In 1946, the Federal Government transferred remaining property and recreational facilities to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania creating neighboring French Creek State Park.
Two of Hopewell Furnace’s last living employees, Harker Long, caretaker (left), and Lafayette Houck, collier (right), assisted the National Park Service with the development of the park
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The first charcoal making demonstration took place in the 1930s when the National Park Service was taught the process by Master Collier, Lafayette Houck, one of the last Hopewell Colliers. Since that time, generations of visitors have experienced the storied tradition of charcoal making during public demonstrations.
Group of sailors in 1943
NPS Photo
Congress ended the Civilian Conservation Corps at the start of World War II. During the war, the camp area around Hopewell and French Creek was used by the Navy as a rest area. The first sailors to stay were from the British battleship HMS Nelson in 1941 while their ship was docked in Philadelphia for repairs.
Group of visitors walk toward buses parked in front of the Office/Store in 1953
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Following the end of World War II, visitation dramatically increased. Cars and visitors crowded the park and highlighted the need for improved visitor services.
A man (perhaps a Park Ranger) stands next to the furnace stack in 1958
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Restoration work continued at Hopewell Furnace throughout the mid-20th century. When Hopewell ceased operations in 1883, the Cast House deteriorated, leaving the furnace stack exposed to the elements.
Newley reconstructed Cast House in 1965
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The Mission 66 initiative spurred projects such as the construction of a Visitor Center. Additional projects such as the reconstruction of the Cast House were completed by the mid-1960s.
c.1970s photograph showing family watching sand moulding demonstration inside of the Cast House
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The reconstruction of the Cast House in 1964 and 1965 created a new space to tell stories about Hopewell Furnace, including sand moulding and casting demonstrations.
The name change to Hopewell Furnace is reflected in this commemorative pin from the site’s 50th anniversary in 1988
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1985, the National Park Service changed the site’s name from Hopewell Village National Historic Site to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. The name was changed to better represent Hopewell’s historical name (Hopewell Furnace) and function as an industrial site.
21st Century
Group of students walk to the Barn in 2001
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While visitors often come for recreational opportunities at Hopewell Furnace and at neighboring French Creek State Park, education remains an important part of the National Park Service’s mission.
Interior of Office/Store
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Park Rangers continue to think about new ways to tell Hopewell Furnace’s story. From 2009 to 2019, the Office/Store doubled as an interpretive space and Eastern National gift shop. Today, the Office/Store is being redesigned as a museum space.
Staff and volunteers serving cake at 2016 Centennial for the National Park Service
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In 2016, Parks across the United States celebrated the centennial of the National Park Service (NPS). A question on everyone’s mind: what will the next 100 years of stewardship look like?
Two seasonal Park Rangers pose for a picture while wearing masks during the Coronavirus Pandemic
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In the Coronavirius Pandemic, buildings were temporarily closed and the grounds remained open. Staff focused on digital outreach with the website and Facebook.
Visitor takes self-guided tour
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Hopewell Furnace has experienced its share of challenges and success and has become a model of resilience. The site endures as a place for visitors to recreate, learn and find inspiration. Become a part of our story and visit in person!
