Ranger Guided Tours (Offered Daily)
Weekends
9:45 am: Iron Works House
11:15 am: Industrial Site
2:15 pm: Industrial Site
3:45 pm: Iron Works House
Weekdays in April, May, June, September and October
2:15 pm: Industrial Site
3:45 pm: Iron Works House
Weekdays in July and August
9:45 am: Iron Works House
11:15 am: Industrial Site
2:15 pm: Industrial Site
3:45 pm: Iron Works House
Note: Tours times may be subject to change. Please call 781-233-0050 to confirm times and to make group reservations.
Iron Works House Tour
Step into our 17th century home.
Enjoy a tour through the 1680s Iron Works House and learn about life during the colonial period, the restoration of the house by Wallace Nutting in 1915, and the impact of the house on the reconstruction of the site.
Industrial Site Tour
See the Iron Works come to life!
Join a ranger for a tour through the reconstructed iron works and learn about the production of iron on this site in the mid-1600s, an endeavor that was integral to the growth of the early colony, and about the archeological dig and reconstruction of the site in the 1940s to 1950s. This tour may include the operation of waterwheels, the 500-pound hammer and blacksmithing demonstrations.
17th Century Herb Garden
Our 17th century herb garden was created in 1974 by members of the New England Unit of the Herb Society of America as a bicentennial project. All of the herbs they planted can be found in letters and other writings of the 1600's.
Junior Ranger Activities
Participate in Junior Ranger activities and earn your Junior Ranger Badge! Activities can be found at the Visitor Center and the Junior Ranger Station.
Orientation Film
Iron Works on the Saugus may be seen in the Museum's auditorium where visitors may start the film at their convenience. The film is approximately 12 minutes long, providing an overview of the seventeenth-century iron works production on the site and the archeological dig and reconstruction of the site in the 1940s-1950s.
Museum
The museum houses many of the artifacts from the 1940s and 1950s archeology dig. See the original 17th-century Blast Furnace waterwheel, the anvil base from the Forge trip hammer, many tools and household items, as well as Native American items.
Nature Trail
Follow the nature trail along the east side of the Saugus River. Watch for the birds and other wild life, identify trees and other plants. Help monitor the wildlife in the park by telling the rangers at the Visitor Center what you've seen.
Casting Activities
Cast yourself in the role of an ironworker!
Dates and times to be determined for the 2012 season.
Try your hand at casting your own metal figure, experience the colonial ironworks and learn about the lives behind historic iron manufacturing. Complete your Junior Ranger Activity and take your metal figure home with you!
Note: On these days, the 11:15 industrial site tour is not conducted.
Iron Pour Demonstrations
Dates and times to be determined for the 2012 season.
While sitting on the grassy lawn, watch as our new portable furnace melts iron to a molten liquid that is then poured into molds, casting iron items. Ask questions, relax, picnic, and visit the park while this red-hot action occurs.
Saugus Founders' Day Iron Pour
Saturday, September 8th, time to be determined.
This is like the Iron Pour Demonstration. However, today you can design your own iron tile that you can take home!
Scratch your design into a sand mold, watch the molten liquid poured, wait for it to cool and the iron tile is yours to take home. Scratch molds are available on a first-come-first-served basis. The pouring is tentatively scheduled around 1 pm.
