Dennis C. Kurjack

Hopewell Village, located south of Birdsboro in Pennsylvania was the site of first a forge and then a furnace, operating until 1883. Until I read this book, I was unaware that there was a difference between the two. A furnace uses charcoal to make its pig iron (ingot bars) and also stoves along with pots and pans. A forge turned the pig iron into refined iron, suitable for tools, nails and other implements. The history of iron making in the United States is covered as well as the methods used. Since most furnaces needed to be near a supply of wood to be made into charcoal, they were in remote locations with a village growing up around them.

Hopewell was one such village with a mansion for the ironmaster and homes for the workers as well as buildings needed for the village to function. Two of the most famous ironmasters were Mark Bird (for whom Birdsboro is named) and Clement Brooke, an industrialist who lived in Birdsboro later in his life.

The book has numerous illustrations and photographs of the site as well as a map for those who wish to take a self guided tour. The bibliography for suggested readings is minimal. Today the property is maintained by the National Park Service.… (altro)