The Friends of Hopewell Furnace provides several educational opportunities for park visitors to engage with the history of ironmaking and the and of living at the village. The education program includes the following:
- the publication of books on ironmakers and ironmaking,
- the sponsorship of monthly presentations on the historical and natural history pertinent to the park and
- the sponsorship of the annual essay contest on themes related to the Declaration of Independance for High School and Middle School students
- special purpose funding for the historic gardens, habitat conservation and fiber arts programs.
These initiatives are intented to explore the ways in which the furnace and village played a role in the history of the U.S. Further description is provided below.
The Friends of Hopewell Furnace has dedicated funds set up for some special purpose educational uses, such as described in the last section.
Book Publications
The Friends have published five books on early ironmakers and their industries in the Berks and Chester County area. The work of these people was important as a foundation of American heavy industry and a domestic source of consumer goods as well as weaponry for the Revolution. Thomas Rutter built the first ironworks in Pennsylvania in 1714 on the Manatawny Creek and later added a furnace west of Boyertown and the improved Colebrookdale Furnace. Samuel Nutt was the first ironmaster in Chester County and built a refinery forge, an iron charcoal furnace and a blister steel furnace on the French Creek in Coventryville. William Bird and his son Mark Bird established the first forges in Birdsboro and later the furnace here at Hopewell. See the Store page for information on these publications and links to purchase the books.
The Friends have published five books on early ironmakers and their industries in the Berks and Chester County area. The work of these people was important as a foundation of American heavy industry and a domestic source of consumer goods as well as weaponry for the Revolution. Thomas Rutter built the first ironworks in Pennsylvania in 1714 on the Manatawny Creek and later added a furnace west of Boyertown and the improved Colebrookdale Furnace. Samuel Nutt was the first ironmaster in Chester County and built a refinery forge, an iron charcoal furnace and a blister steel furnace on the French Creek in Coventryville. William Bird and his son Mark Bird established the first forges in Birdsboro and later the furnace here at Hopewell. See the Store page for information on these publications and links to purchase the books.
Monthly Presentations
The Friends has a long tradition of organizing and hosting monthly talks and presentations at the park on subjects of historical and natural interest. These presentations focus on the eighteenth and nineteen century in southeastern Pennsylvania or on natural science issues related to the park and surrounding area. Presentations are typically scheduled for the second Sunday of each month from 2 to 3 PM at the Visitors Center Auditorium (across from the front desk), although the date may vary for some months of the year so be sure to check the flyer and the schedule linked to the Home page.
The Friends has a long tradition of organizing and hosting monthly talks and presentations at the park on subjects of historical and natural interest. These presentations focus on the eighteenth and nineteen century in southeastern Pennsylvania or on natural science issues related to the park and surrounding area. Presentations are typically scheduled for the second Sunday of each month from 2 to 3 PM at the Visitors Center Auditorium (across from the front desk), although the date may vary for some months of the year so be sure to check the flyer and the schedule linked to the Home page.
Annual Essay Contest
The Friends has worked with the park staff to develop the annual Essay Program and assists with the solicitation and review of the submissions along with others in the review team. The Friends also provide volunteer services in connection with the presentation of the winning essays by the students during the Fourth of July celebration at the park. The Friends also contributes the cash prizes for First, Second and Third place winners for both the High School and Middle School entrants.
The Friends has worked with the park staff to develop the annual Essay Program and assists with the solicitation and review of the submissions along with others in the review team. The Friends also provide volunteer services in connection with the presentation of the winning essays by the students during the Fourth of July celebration at the park. The Friends also contributes the cash prizes for First, Second and Third place winners for both the High School and Middle School entrants.
Special Purpose Funds
The Friends have accepted donations intended for specific uses at the park. Several of these fit generally with the educational mission of the park and Friends support. Donations are welcome for each of these funds by designation on your check or Paypal submission. If you would like more detail on any of these funds please send an inquiry via the email link on the Home page.
The Garden Fund has been maintained for donations for maintenance of historic gardens at the Main House and the Tennant Houses to display and demonstrate historical garden contents and gardening practices. The gardens are maintained by volunteers from the Berks and Chester County Master Gardeners.
The Habitat Conservation Fund holds and disburses donations for support of volunteer work to remove invasive species, restore riparian margins of the creeks and water bodies and other natural resource conservation work as identified by the park.
The Maxine B. Weinstein Memorial Fund holds and disburses donations for programs to demonstrate and display works in the fabric arts representative of the period depicted by the park. Special interest is given to the use of wool sheared from the sheep at Hopewell Furnace.
The Friends have accepted donations intended for specific uses at the park. Several of these fit generally with the educational mission of the park and Friends support. Donations are welcome for each of these funds by designation on your check or Paypal submission. If you would like more detail on any of these funds please send an inquiry via the email link on the Home page.
The Garden Fund has been maintained for donations for maintenance of historic gardens at the Main House and the Tennant Houses to display and demonstrate historical garden contents and gardening practices. The gardens are maintained by volunteers from the Berks and Chester County Master Gardeners.
The Habitat Conservation Fund holds and disburses donations for support of volunteer work to remove invasive species, restore riparian margins of the creeks and water bodies and other natural resource conservation work as identified by the park.
The Maxine B. Weinstein Memorial Fund holds and disburses donations for programs to demonstrate and display works in the fabric arts representative of the period depicted by the park. Special interest is given to the use of wool sheared from the sheep at Hopewell Furnace.
Education Program
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