The Friends of Hopewell Furnace NHS

06/03/2026

The Friends of Hopewell Furnace cordially invites you to journey with historian Tom Walsh to the roots of Abraham Lincoln's Family in Berks and Chester counties' iron country.

The free program will begin at 2 p.m. on Flag Day, Sunday, June 14, at the Hopewell Furnace Visitor Center, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520. Please plan to arrive early as seating is limited.

06/02/2026

If you are interested in supporting the Hopewell Furnaces Historic Apple Orchard please consider ordering a T-shirt. Both the Cursive Font shown on the left and the Old English Font shown on the right are $23 which includes shipping. Please go to the Friends website:
friendsofhopewellfurn.org to order the T-shirts.

05/06/2026

The Friends of Hopewell Furnace cordially invites you to join historian and author Daniel A. Graham for a presentation on Colonial Iron Workers who among other products created the cannon for George Washington's army.

The free program will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at the Hopewell Furnace Visitor Center, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520. Please note that Dan will be available to sign his books which are on sale at the Visitor Center and online at the friends website www.friendsofhopewellfurn.org. Plan to arrive early as seating is limited.

04/17/2026

We will be at Berks History Day tomorrow at The Berks County Heritage Center 10am - 3pm. If you get a chance stop by and see us!

04/10/2026

The Friends of Hopewell Furnace cordially invites you to join historian Dave Smoot of the Society of Civil War Surgeons in an exploration of Civil War Medical Procedures. The free program features Berks and Chester County soldiers who had received medical attention for sickness or combat injury. Smoot aka "Dr Tooms" on his YOUTUBE Channel has served as a living history interpreter, author and researcher. His presentation will begin at 2 p.m on Sunday, April 12, at the Hopewell Furnace Visitor Center Theatre, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA. Please plan to arrive early as seating is limited.

03/09/2026

Friends of Hopewell Furnace Encourages Students to Celebrate America’s 250

Let Us Know: How do you see the Declaration of Independence influencing the future over your lifetime?

Earn Cash Prizes!

Deadline: Sunday, April 5, 2026

For the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, the Friends of Hopewell Furnace in cooperation with the National Park Service is asking students from the tri county PA area in Grades 6-12, to answer the question: How do you see the Declaration of Independence influencing the future over your lifetime? The best answers will be read at the July 4th Celebration at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.

Students attending (Public/Private/Home) schools 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.

Students in grades 9 – 12 may submit a 500 word or less essay and students in grades 6 – 8 may submit a 300 word or less essay related to the prompt: How do you see the Declaration of Independence influencing the future over your lifetime? The preferred method of essay submission is to attach a.pdf file of your essay, via an email, and send it to: [email protected]. Essays may also be delivered to Hopewell Furnace NHS, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520 in an envelope marked “Writing Contest”. Submissions are due on Sunday, April 5, 2026. More information is available on the website at www.nps.gov/hofu

A panel of judges will review the submissions with the top 3 from each grade group receiving cash awards of $125 for 1st, $100 for 2nd, and $75 for 3rd. Top 3 selectees from each grade group will also be invited to participate in the park’s Independence Day public program at 2pm on July 4th.

Located in Berks and Chester Counties, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site 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 mission of the Friends of Hopewell Furnace is to support the preservation, maintenance and activities of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.

Hopewell Furnace showcases an early American landscape of industrial operations from 1771-1883, Hopewell and other iron plantations laid the foundation for the transformation of the United States into an industrial giant for the time. The park's 848 acres and historic structures illustrate the busin...

03/05/2026

The Sinking Spring Area Historical Society meets March 18 at 7:00 PM., Sinking Spring Borough Hall, 3940 Penn Avenue, front entrance. The program is "Prof. Herman Schnitzel-Pennsylvania Dutch Humorist". Enjoy an evening of laughs from this local sensation from the past. Parking in rear off Columbia Avenue. Public welcome. Information 610-678-4219.

03/02/2026

Upcoming Friends of Hopewell Furnace Hopewell Furnace Program

Sunday, March 8 @ 2 pm
Hopewell Furnace Visitor Center

Beloved Apple Orchard
with National Park Horticulturist Brooke Derr & Excursion Cider’s Doug Reeser

02/27/2026

Hello Friends of Hopewell Furnace,

Hopewell's beautiful apple orchard is stressed. While the orchard has historically produced thousands of apples, it failed to yield any crop last year. Due to a current lack of resources, the National Park Service has been unable to provide the necessary care the trees require.

The Friends of Hopewell Furnace cordially invite you to experience "Hopewell's Beloved Apple Orchard". National Park Service Horticulturist Brooke Deer will provide a window into the history and significance of the Orchard as well as what needs to be done to improve its health. Also joining the program is Doug Reiser of Excursion Ciders who will illustrate the historic cider making process. The free program will be held at the Hopewell Visitor Center Theatre, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520 on Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. Seating is limited.

With proper maintenance, these trees can once again provide enjoyment for the public. The Friends are actively seeking funds to restore the orchard so visitors can return to the favorite pastime of picking apples during the fall. If you wish to donate, visit www.friendsofhopewellfurn.org. We hope that you will join us to learn how you can help.

02/23/2026

Join the Friends of Hopewell Furnace and help support one of America’s great National Historic Sites. To become a member, check out our website - https://www.friendsofhopewellfurn.org/Membership.html

The Friends of Hopewell Furnace is a citizens’ non-profit organization whose mission is to support the preservation, maintenance and
activities of the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (NHS).
The Friends was established in 1994 and incorporated in 1998. Since our founding the Friends group has assisted the National Park Service in carrying out its mission to protect and preserve the park.

The Friends has supported special events and maintained the gardens, the collections, the library, the costumes, educational activities,
and interpretation work at the park. Activities include advertised monthly
presentations at 2 pm on Sunday afternoons.