https://www.nps.gov/hofu News releases from Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. en-us https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/20250624.htm Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:26:00 EST The National Park Service and the Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite you to join in commemorating the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. The annual formal commemoration ceremony will take place at 2:00 pm from the steps of Ironmaster’s Mansion on site. Other programming will be offered throughout the day and is open and free to the public. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/20250624.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/sheep-shearing-and-spring-charcoal-burn-2025.htm Sat, 03 May 2025 11:40:00 EST Hopewell Furnace invites you to attend its annual sheep shearing and spring charcoal burn kickoff on Saturday, May 10 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. All programs are open to the public and free of charge. Visitors can learn about how and why we shear sheep and discover what people in the 19th century could do with the wool. Shearing will occur every 20 minutes, starting at 11:30 am with the last around 3:30 pm. Additionally, park staff and volunteers will discuss and demonstrate fiber arts, blacksmithing, and bake oven techniques from the time period. Park rangers will offer a Storytime with the Ranger at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/sheep-shearing-and-spring-charcoal-burn-2025.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/independence-day-writing-challenge-2025.htm Fri, 14 Mar 2025 06:34:00 EST Students in grades 6-12 have a chance to shine—and to win a cash award—in this year’s Independence Day Writing Contest. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/independence-day-writing-challenge-2025.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/iron-plantation-christmas-2024.htm Thu, 31 Oct 2024 08:27:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) invites the public to celebrate an “Iron Plantation Christmas” and stroll through the historic community of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. This free event will take place on Saturday, December 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature Christmas as celebrated during the 19th century at Hopewell Furnace. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/iron-plantation-christmas-2024.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/remembering-ccc.htm Fri, 20 Sep 2024 07:56:00 EST Hopewell Furnace invites you to join in commemorating the contributions of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) with a special guided hike and encampment on site Saturday, September 28. All programming is free to the public and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/remembering-ccc.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/tourism-to-hopewell-furnace-contributes-$5-8-million-to-local-economy.htm Wed, 04 Sep 2024 08:31:00 EST A new National Park Service report shows that 54.3 thousand visitors to Hopewell Furnace in 2023 spent $3.6 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 51 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $5.8 million. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/tourism-to-hopewell-furnace-contributes-$5-8-million-to-local-economy.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hofu-4july2024.htm Wed, 19 Jun 2024 05:00:00 EST The National Park Service and the Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite you to join in commemorating the 248th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site on July 4, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hofu-4july2024.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hopewell-furnace-kicks-off-national-park-week-with-civilian-conservation-corps-encampment.htm Wed, 17 Apr 2024 10:43:00 EST Hopewell Furnace invites you to join in commemorating the beginning of National Park Week with a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) encampment on site Saturday, April 20. All programming is free to the public and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hopewell-furnace-kicks-off-national-park-week-with-civilian-conservation-corps-encampment.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hopewell-furnace-welcomes-submissions-for-independence-day-writing-contest.htm Sat, 16 Mar 2024 11:06:00 EST Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, in collaboration with the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, is accepting essay submissions for inclusion in this year’s Independence Day programming at the park on July 4th. Students in Grades 6 – 12 attending school within the boundaries of local school districts of Antietam, Boyertown, Coatesville, Daniel Boone, Downingtown, Exeter, Governor Mifflin, Oley Valley, Owen J Roberts, Phoenixville, Pottsgrove, Pottstown, Reading, Spring-Ford, Twin Valley, and Wyomissing are encouraged to participate. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hopewell-furnace-welcomes-submissions-for-independence-day-writing-contest.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/2023-iron-plantation-christmas-at-hopewell-furnace.htm Sat, 25 Nov 2023 05:50:00 EST Visitors will have the opportunity to experience and engage with various Christmas traditions from the early/mid 19th Century. These activities include making gingerbread ornaments, creating holiday decorations out of greens and other natural sprigs, the traditions of writing holiday letters and cards, plus discovering the customs, foods, and traditions of the holiday season from an early American perspective. Visitors will also get to meet Der Belsnickel, a mischievous character similar to Santa Claus, who rewards good children with treats. Support for these programs comes from park volunteers, the Berks and Chester County Master Gardener chapters, and the Friends of Hopewell Furnace. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/2023-iron-plantation-christmas-at-hopewell-furnace.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/starfest-2023.htm Thu, 17 Aug 2023 13:03:00 EST On Saturday, August 19 from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, the National Park Service and the ChesMont Astronomical Society will celebrate the night sky during the 25th annual StarFest at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. This free event will include formal presentations and kids' activities beginning at 7:00 PM, followed by the opportunity to observe the night skies through a variety of telescopes provided by members of the ChesMont Astronomical Society. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/starfest-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hofu-4july2023.htm Fri, 30 Jun 2023 06:59:00 EST The National Park Service and the Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite you to join in commemorating the 247th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site on July 4, 2023.  https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hofu-4july2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/sheep-shearing-and-spring-charcoal-burn-at-hopewell-furnace.htm Sat, 06 May 2023 10:29:00 EST Hopewell Furnace invites you to attend its annual sheep shearing and spring charcoal burn on Saturday, May 13. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe both 21st and 19th century techniques for shearing sheep from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., rain or shine. At 11:00 a.m. park volunteer colliers will light and begin the spring charcoal burn demonstrating the process for converting wood to charcoal in the 19th century. The charcoal burn will last 7 days around the clock with the conclusion occurring on Saturday, May 20. Support for these programs comes from the Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Along with these demonstrations, park staff and volunteers will be present to discuss and demonstrate fiber arts, blacksmithing, and gardening techniques from the time period. All programs are open to the public and free of charge. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/sheep-shearing-and-spring-charcoal-burn-at-hopewell-furnace.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/civilian-conservation-corps-encampment.htm Fri, 14 Apr 2023 12:00:00 EST Hopewell Furnace invites you to join in commemorating the beginning of National Park Week with a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) encampment on site Saturday and Sunday April 22nd – 23rd. Programming on Saturday, April 22nd will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with programming Sunday, April 23rd running from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All programming is free to the public. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/civilian-conservation-corps-encampment.htm https://www.nps.gov/cato/learn/news/reducing-deer-numbers-and-removing-invasive-plants-are-key-to-long-term-forest-health.htm Tue, 04 Apr 2023 07:20:00 EST Most forests in eastern United States national parks are at risk due to browsing by overabundant white-tailed deer and crowding by invasive plants, according to a National Park Service (NPS) study published in the journal Ecological Applications. https://www.nps.gov/cato/learn/news/reducing-deer-numbers-and-removing-invasive-plants-are-key-to-long-term-forest-health.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/iron-plantation-christmas-at-hopewell-furnace.htm Fri, 25 Nov 2022 09:18:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) invites the public to celebrate an “Iron Plantation Christmas” and stroll through the historic community of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. This free event will take place on Saturday, December 3, from 10 am to 4 pm, and will feature Christmas as celebrated during the 19th century at Hopewell Furnace. The program will be presented rain or shine. Visitors will find that Christmas was a workday in the early 19th century. The bake ovens will be heating up special treats and the Blacksmiths will be clanging away. Visitors will be able to discover the customs, foods, and traditions of the holiday season from an early American perspective. The Berks and Chester County Master Gardeners will guide visitors in making holiday ornaments out of greens and other natural sprigs as a memento of their visit. Visitors will meet Der Belsnickel, a mischievous version of Santa Claus, who rewards good children with treats. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/iron-plantation-christmas-at-hopewell-furnace.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hopewell-furnace-commemorates-national-public-lands-day.htm Sat, 10 Sep 2022 06:35:00 EST Hopewell Furnace invites you to join in commemorating National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 24th. Held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages the use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits. Offerings this year at Hopewell Furnace include service projects throughout the park as well as programming related to the Civilian Conservation Corps' role in restoring the park. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hopewell-furnace-commemorates-national-public-lands-day.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/starfest-returns-to-hopewell-furnace.htm Fri, 12 Aug 2022 10:22:00 EST The National Park Service and the ChesMont Astronomical Society invite you to attend this year’s Starfest event Saturday, August 20th from 6:00pm to 11:00pm at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. This free event will include formal presentations and kid’s activities starting at 7:00pm followed by opportunities to observe the night skies through a variety of telescopes provided by ChesMont Astronomical Society members.  If rain or cloudy skies dictate, the event will be postponed to Sunday, August 21. This is the first time in three years this normally annual event is being held. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/starfest-returns-to-hopewell-furnace.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hopewell-furnace-commemorates-the-declaration-of-independence.htm Fri, 17 Jun 2022 11:11:00 EST ELVERSON – The National Park Service and the Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite you to join in commemorating the 246th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2022. The annual formal commemoration ceremony will take place at 2:00pm from the steps of Ironmaster’s House on site. Other programming will be offered throughout the day and is open and free to the public. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/hopewell-furnace-commemorates-the-declaration-of-independence.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/rose-superintendent.htm Thu, 09 Jul 2020 05:31:00 EST National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Rosalyn “Rose” Fennell as the new superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, and the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail in Pennsylvania. Fennell will begin her new assignment on September 27, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/rose-superintendent.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/covid-19-3-23-20.htm Mon, 23 Mar 2020 01:08:00 EST Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, in response to the emergency decree issued by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As of March 20, Hopewell Furnace NHS will offer no services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/covid-19-3-23-20.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/covid-19.htm Fri, 20 Mar 2020 02:03:00 EST Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of Wednesday, March 18, the Visitor Center and all publicly accessible buildings are closed until further notice. Where possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, the trails and parking lot will be available Wednesday - Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/covid-19.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/-spring-day-of-service-show-your-support-for-hopewell-furnace-national-historic-site-with-clean-up-activities-on-april-13.htm Sun, 31 Mar 2019 06:41:00 EST Show your support for Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site with clean-up activities on April 13, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/-spring-day-of-service-show-your-support-for-hopewell-furnace-national-historic-site-with-clean-up-activities-on-april-13.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/2019-national-junior-ranger-day.htm Fri, 22 Mar 2019 11:33:00 EST 2019 National Junior Ranger Day celebrates exploring, learning and protecting our national treasures. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/2019-national-junior-ranger-day.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/2018-hopewell-halloween.htm Mon, 01 Oct 2018 06:59:00 EST In the spirit of the autumn season, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site will be offering an afternoon of special Halloween related activities on Saturday, October 26th. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/2018-hopewell-halloween.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/national-public-lands-day-at-hopewell-furnace-nhs.htm Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:39:00 EST Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site will observe the 25th annual National Public Lands Day on September 22, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/national-public-lands-day-at-hopewell-furnace-nhs.htm https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/2018-apple-sales.htm Sat, 25 Aug 2018 08:26:00 EST Beginning Saturday, August 25th, 2018, and continuing while the crop lasts, the apple orchard at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site will be available for apple picking from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day the park is open. https://www.nps.gov/hofu/learn/news/2018-apple-sales.htm