Video
Stop 6 - Cast House
Transcript
The original Cast House was built around c. 1771 when Hopewell Furnace was founded by Pennsylvanian entrepreneur, Mark Bird. The building houses a cold blast iron furnace and is often referred to as the heart of the community. The current reconstruction, completed in 1965, reflects the 19th century Cast House. In the Cast House, molten iron was cast into stove plates, pots, and many other products. In early casting, molten iron was poured into an impression made in the sand in front of the furnace. Molders worked 12-hour shifts, each preparing molds and casting when the furnace was tapped. To prevent fires from furnace cinders, the roof was covered with handmade tiles that were grooved to channel rainwater. Hopewell Furnace permanently closed in 1883 and the Cast House deteriorated into a state of disrepair. From 1964 to 1965, the Cast House was rebuilt at the direction of the National Park Service. Amish carpenters were hired to rebuild the structure using historic methods.
Description
Discover the Cast House at Hopewell Furnace with Ranger Holzer.
Duration
1 minute, 8 seconds
Date Created
09/27/2020
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