Both literally and figuratively the ironmasters of this region supported their
emerging nation by forging freedom. Early ironmasters resented British laws that required
them to ship pig iron to England and then buy back the finished product. When war
came to North America in 1775, the iron industry forged freedom by supplying munitions
to Washington's beleaguered army. The Forging Freedom Tour explores this theme beginning
at Hopewell Furnace, which provided war materials for the American Revolution and
the Civil War, and experienced every social and political event of the 19th century.
It tours neighboring furnaces, critical to the war effort and growth of the new country.
Recreation Opportunities
1000's of acres of land are available for swimming, hiking, fishing and more
at French Creek State Park and the beautiful grounds of the 197 acre Welkinweir estate,
a conservation trust with an arboretum, gardens and the historic mansion house. Warwick
County Park offers an additional 538 acres of recreational opportunities, including
the .83 mile Iron Heritage Loop Trail guiding visitors through the annual cycle of
charcoal making. The park is a trailhead for the 140 mile Horse-Shoe Trail. River
Front Park is home to the headquarters of the Schuylkill River National Heritage Area
and one of the main Schuylkill River trailheads.
Heritage Stops to Shop and Eat
Morgantown was originally settled around 1765 and historic Elverson Borough traces
its development from its 18th century origins. The tour travels to the charming village
of Coventryville with structures dating from the early 18th and 19th centuries, including
workers housing, an Inn and the ironmaster's house (Coventry Hall.) St. Peter's Village
was once an important granite quarry site and now a restored village featuring unique
shops, a fabulous bakery and the Inn at St. Peter's. Additional heritage sites are
Pottstown, a community with an extensive history in the iron and steel industries,
and Birdsboro, once the home of the Birdsboro Steel Company and a site where visitors
can still find echoes of the industrial past as they explore this historic community.