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Contact: Crystal Williams, 610-397-9092
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.
May 10 also marks the beginning of a week-long charcoal burn, bringing to life a practice vital to furnace operations. At 11:00 am, park volunteer colliers will light the wood pile 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 ending with the raking of the coals on Saturday, May 17. Support for these programs comes from the Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.
Hopewell Furnace was established as a National Historic Site on August 3, 1938 and preserves the late 18th and early 19th century setting of an iron-making community, including the charcoal-fueled furnace, and its natural and cultural resources. This community illustrates the essential role of industrialization in the growth of the early United States. The furnace was established in 1771 by Ironmaster Mark Bird and operated as a furnace for the next 112 years.
The park’s facilities are currently open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Hopewell Furnace is located at 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520 about five miles south of Birdsboro, PA, off Route 345. Admission to the park is free. For more information, call 610-582-8773 or visit the park's web site at www.nps.gov/hofu.
Last updated: May 7, 2025