Buckley and Brooke Office and Store

The Office and Store was established in 1784

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Amenities

1 listed

Wheelchair Accessible

The company Clerk, working in the Office and Store, served as second in command to the Ironmaster. The Clerk's ledgers accounted the orders, production, sales and transportation of products from the furnace. The Clerk also served as paymaster. Workers were not paid with cash; instead they received credit for their work and had their accounts debited for store purchases and cash withdrawals. Any worker could withdraw cash from their account.

While employees were not required to buy at the store, prices were competitive, and the location was convenient. Dry goods, foodstuffs, tools, agricultural implements, tobacco, and salt were commonly stocked, along with the iron products of the furnace.

Hopewell Furnace has a very complete collection of ledgers and other records of furnace operations and employee purchases. These records provide insight into the business and the lives of employees and their families throughout much of the 19^th century.

Tags: hopewell furnace national historic site, furnace complex, self-guided tour, historic buildings