In 1853, the Hopewell partners built a hot-blast anthracite furnace here. This new furnace did not burn charcoal but used anthracite coal to smelt iron — an attempt to reduce fuel costs and increase iron production.
Hopewell's anthracite . . . — — Map (db m23867) HM
In the mid-1800s, brick ovens or kilns were built here in an attempt to modernize the charcoal-making process. Believed to be economically beneficial, these kilns fired and produced charcoal but proved unsuccessful. Today the only indication of . . . — — Map (db m23868) HM
Throughout surrounding hills are remains of hundreds of pits such as this one in front of you. Workers, or colliers, tended these pits to transform wood into charcoal — a pure carbon fuel.
Colliers ignited stacked wood covered with leaves and . . . — — Map (db m23977) HM
Teamsters drove wagonloads of hot, newly made charcoal to this cooling shed. Paid by the load delivered, workers dumped charcoal here by removing wagon floorboards. Once charcoal cooled, it was moved and piled in the stone storage house in front of . . . — — Map (db m23980) HM
Ahead of you is a large wooden trough called a flume, part of the west headrace. Water from surrounding Hopewell land flowed down this flume and spilled into buckets on the water wheel, providing a reliable source of water to power the blast . . . — — Map (db m24027) HM
An elaborate arrangement of flowers, herbs, and fruits once decorated these terraces. Violets, poppies, roses, daffodils, and hollyhocks were formally arranged in the ironmaster's garden. Rosemary and thyme scented the air as Hopewell's gardener . . . — — Map (db m23988) HM
Patriot and Revolutionary War Hero * Commanded the Chester County “Flying Camp” Militia Regiment in American efforts to repel the British occupation of New York city * Captured upon surrender of Fort Washington and sent to infamous . . . — — Map (db m78172) HM
Built 1737 by Anna Nutt and Co. Made first Franklin stoves, 1742. Supplied shot and cannon for American revolutionists. Furnace a mile and a half away on side road; iron mines a mile west on the highway. — — Map (db m158387) HM
