Apple Orchard

Apple trees ready for harvest.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Hopewell Furnace

Significance:

Orchard

Amenities

3 listed

Pets Allowed, Picnic Table, Scenic View/Photo Spot

The earliest mention of an orchard at Hopewell Furnace is a 1788 Pennsylvania Gazette article highlighting the sale of the estate, describing it as "an excellent young bearing orchard of about 250 apple trees of the best fruit.” In the late 1700s at least one orchard existed on or near the furnace property including one in the general location of the present-day orchard.

In Hopewell’s height (1820-1840) at least two distinct orchards existed on site. A peach orchard is known to have existed at Hopewell Furnace in 1835 and other orchards were owned by the furnace and rented to neighboring farmers. Furnace records indicated the sale of apple butter, dried apples, vinegar, and cider in the company store. Records also expressed that “trimming” of apple trees and picking of apples occurred in this period.

In Hopewell’s decline (1846-1883) park records showed that the orchard was maintained, and that clover, oats, corn, and potatoes were cultivated among the trees. In December 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps set up camp at Hopewell Furnace to clear underbrush, build roads and excavate lakes. In 1940 the CCC assisted with at least partial replanting of the apple orchard north of the old Reading/Valley Forge Road.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site was officially established in 1938. By the 1970s, the park regularly maintained the orchard.

Today, the orchard contains about 148 trees ranging from saplings to the CCC planted trees of almost 100 years old!

Apple picking is a family fun activity during Autumn. Check with the Visitor Center to learn more about apple picking activities.