This Valentine’s Day, Fall in Love with Historic Joanna Furnace

Come celebrate the 13^th Annual Joanna Furnace Valentine’s Day Breakfast Buffet on Saturday, February 15, 2020! Give your sweetheart and loved ones the gift of live musical performances while indulging in a delectable all-you-can-eat buffet offering traditional country breakfast complemented by romantic delights such as our delicious Joanna Furnace chocolate covered strawberries and whipped hot chocolate.

Join us at Historic Joanna Furnace Iron Works from 7 am – 12 pm and share fine food while listening to the romantic and festive acoustical stylings of Denver-based Phyllis Hummel, who has been performing for over 20 years throughout the Tri-County region, as we kick off the exciting 2020 exhibit and event calendar. This year’s calendar includes numerous opportunities to travel back in time and experience a taste of life in an 18^th and 19^th century iron-making community with three major annual festivals: Hay Creek Festival, Hay Creek Apple Festival, Christmas at Joanna. Our growing public school program, and numerous restoration projects provide more chances to explore and learn about this important historical site.

Menu to include: fresh country sausage, baked carved ham, scrapple, bacon, creamed chipped beef, scrambled eggs, pancakes, pancakes with chocolate chips French toast, hash browns, fruit sauce, and beverages.

“One hundred fifty years ago Joanna Furnace Ironmaster L. Heber Smith and wife Ella Jane were so very much in love.  In fact, in March of 1870 the newlywed couple were expecting the birth of their first child”, states Juliana Flora, Hay Creek Valley Historical Association President and Smith Family descendent.    “The excitement at that time still continues today through the passion of Hay Creek volunteers with their love to preserve the history of our community.  Volunteers work at keeping the Joanna Furnace property beautiful and maintained, lead school group tours, and educate the public about our local history at our Fall events.”

Reservations for the Valentine’s Breakfast Buffet are not required.   Admission for individual adults is $10.00, Children are encouraged; ages 5 – 11 are $5.00 and those under 5 eat free.

The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Net proceeds from this event support the educational programs and restoration of Joanna Furnace. This historically significant 18th and 19th-century charcoal-fueled iron furnace community is nestled in a valley just off Route 10 on Furnace Road—3 miles north of Morgantown, PA

For more information, visit the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association website at www.haycreek.org or call 610-286-0388.

Morgantown, PA . . .

The evenings of December 6—8, visitors to Joanna Furnace will be whisked away from the anticipation of their own Christmas season—back to the joyous celebration of the Christmas of 1869. Whether families come for unique holiday shopping, wonderful light holiday treats, to experience the candlelit 200-year-old furnace complex, to hear Christmas music, or even have the kids encounter the Belsnickel  . . . everyone is enthralled by the transformation of Joanna Furnace into a 19^th-century-holiday experience.

Christmas 1869 was a grand time for the ironmaster’s family and the residents of the Joanna Furnace community.  They celebrated the Holiday and gave thanks that the furnace was busy providing income to so many families. Additionally, this year, the ironmaster and his wife are celebrating their second Christmas together. Visitors of all ages will be able to experience that long-ago time and gain a new perspective on their holiday celebration.

Candlelight illuminates the entire furnace complex.
The historic site takes on an entirely new radiance — over one thousand glowing luminaries warmly light various furnace walkways. Visitors are encouraged to explore the furnace complex by following the clearly defined pathways. All aspects of this nighttime event set the stage for an unforgettable family experience. Visitors are urged to bring cameras.

Also, carefully placed lighting illuminates the historic buildings’ exteriors to give visitors a new perspective of the furnace complex. Inside, each building is illuminated by lamps or candles to recreate an 1890s atmosphere.

The Joanna furnace Mule Stable is transformed into the parlor of the Victorian mansion of Iron Master L. Heber Smith, his wife Ella Jane Grubb Smith and their family. As visitors enter the warm glowing parlor, the pleasant aroma of the freshly cut cedar Christmas Tree is a welcoming sensation.

In the parlor, Smith family members gather to prepare for a beautiful family Christmas celebration complete with Victorian dancing. Visitors can watch the festive holiday celebration or interact with family members to learn more about life in the iron furnace community and take part in the period dancing.

Outside, in front of the stage, the largest of the roaring bonfires becomes the focal point of the furnace community. Here all can warm up by the fire and enjoy Bonfire Performances on stage. Friday at 6:00 pm—enjoy a Twin Valley Bible Academy program, Saturday at 6:00 pm—High Point Baptist Church performs and at 7:30 pm —the Lukens Steel Brass Band will perform. On Sunday at 6:00 pm and again at 7:30 pm—Morgantown Community Church Men’s Choir will perform Christmas music.

Near the holiday bonfire, from time to time, the Belsnickel has been known to appear and delight visiting children.

Traditional wagon rides give visitors an alternative way to explore Joanna Furnace. Rides are $2 per person and occur weather permitting. The historic buildings will be open for visitors to explore on self-guided walking tours of the complex. Visitors can visit the Blacksmith Shop, Casting House and Office/Store.

Savor festival foods
The Hay Creek Historians are proud to provide guests with a variety of delicious holiday foods. Enjoy such homemade foods as sausage sandwiches; hot dogs; pork and sauerkraut & mashed potatoes; chicken strips, soups, chili; and French fries. Warm-up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate, hot mulled cider or coffee.

Visitors can enter the Christmas Gift Basket Raffle. These baskets contain valuable items and certificates. All the baskets together contain over $2000 worth of gifts and gift certificates donated by the area business community.

The youngsters can visit the Kid’s Santa Craft Workshop and face painting inside one of the heated tents. The Morgantown Arts Center will be providing various holiday craft activities for children in this workshop.

The Christmas Craft Market provides a showcase for visitors to shop for holiday gifts and home decorating items. Selected items available for purchase from the handpicked vendors include things such as baked goods and cheese; hand blown glass ornaments and assorted holiday items; Handwoven and quilted items;  hand-painted wood Items; hand-made soaps.  Other unique gift items such as hand-crafted blacksmith items, “live-edge” tables; hand-knit scarves, jewelry, candles, fresh Christmas wreaths and more are available.  Sand Castle Winery from Erwinna, PA will also be at the event giving out samples and selling their delicious wines by the bottle.

Admission is $7.00 for adults, Children 12 & under are Free.  Parking is free on-site.

“Christmas at Joanna” happens Friday December 6, from 5 pm to 9 pm and Saturday and Sunday, December 7 & 8, 4 pm to 9 pm at Historic Joanna Furnace Iron Works “Where the Spirit of Christmas Comes Alive”!

Joanna Furnace is located three miles north of Morgantown off Route 10. Look for signs and enter by turning on Furnace Road. Parking is available on site and along Furnace Road. A safely lighted, easily accessible parking area is located along Furnace Road. For the safety of visitors, all are encouraged to avoid parking along route 10.

The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association is a non-profit organization.  Net event proceeds support the education, research, restoration and preservation of the significant 18^th & 19^th century Joanna Furnace Iron Works and its community. For additional information visit www.haycreek.org, friend Joanna Furnace on Facebook or call 610-286-0388.

Family Fun, Fabulous Foods and Restoration at Hay Creek Apple festival

MORGANTOWN, PA – Historic Joanna Furnace begins its celebration of the fall harvest season on Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13. For almost forty years, the ever-popular Hay Creek Apple Festival has been a family tradition. This event draws visitors of all ages to those favorite traditional foods, seasonal hands-on activities for kids, the historic iron-making complex tours, a large flea market and much more. The crisp fall air and the crackle of leaves underfoot set the mood for this old-style tribute to fall and delicious culinary delights based on the ever-popular apple.

With its tasty variety of apple foods, the Hay Creek Apple Festival is one of the best places in the region to experience the many ways apples were served over two hundred years. Visitors can enjoy a variety of apple specialties, eating on-site or by taking the foods home.  The two-day event opens each day with our Apple Pancake and Sausage Breakfast served from 7:00 am to 11:00 am.

The Apple Festival menu includes such favorites as apple dumplings (served with milk), apple pies, apple crisp, Schnitz-un-Knepp, apple sausage sandwiches, apple fritters, apple bread, apple crisp (served with whipped cream), apples for sale, hand-dipped ice cream also available with apple specialties, and fresh-pressed cider. Other menu items include Homemade Mabel’s Kettle-Cooked Soups (Chicken Corn, Beef Vegetable, Ham & Bean), chicken potpie, hamburgers and hot dogs, French fries, soda, water and coffee.   As always, our famous chicken pot pie and Mabel’s homemade kettle-cooked soups are available by the quart to take home. 

In the early days of the Joanna Furnace community, apples were an important food source all year long. Many varieties could keep for months. Children of the early families had the vital job of checking the apples stored in barrels in the root cellar, making sure that “one bad apple” did not “spoil the bunch.”

The annual apple-baking contest will also take place. The Hay Creek Apple Dessert Contest is open to all those who have “that special family recipe,” which was handed down over the years, or to those who love to create their own special desserts. Details of the contest and prizes can be found at  https://haycreek.org/apple-festival-baking-contest/

The Annual Hay Creek Flea Market will be open at 7:00 a.m. A huge flea market will take place both days where visitors can purchase everything from household items, antique, vintage, children’s toys and clothing, and craft/home décor items.

Interested in being a Flea Market vendor? Call Kathleen at 610-914-8152. Vendor registration and set-up starts Friday – October 11th starting at 10 am.  Vendor applications can also be downloaded by using this link:   https://haycreek.org/flea-market-information/

Numerous family activities round out the fun. These family events include scarecrow building, pumpkin painting, face painting for kids, and hay and pony rides. The children will love to ride on the popular Apple Barrel Express. A toy train exhibit will be on display in the Mechanical Technology Building.

Visitors can also purchase ‘scarecrow kits’ to take home. These kits will include the “t” frame, pants, shirt, head, string and accessories. As each scarecrow will have its own personality, each kit will contain different details including such varying things as bandana or belt, hat, tie, etc. and a small amount of straw to stick out of the hands and feet. Homebuilders can use their own newspaper to stuff their scarecrow.

Additional activities include a Petting Zoo and early machinery exhibits operating in the Mechanical Technology Building. Everyone will be able to enjoy visiting the historic ironworks buildings and learning about the Joanna Furnace from our interpreters.

In recognition of National Archaeology Month, there will be an archaeology table set up to introduce families to this exciting activity.

According to Mark Zerr, Executive Director, “This is an exceptional year for Hay Creek. In 2019 almost $300,000 was invested in our preservation projects. Visitors will have an opportunity to see our latest restoration project, the wheelwright shop which was under study and planning for the past several years and is currently under construction.”

Also, visitors can see our other project – phase one of the furnace bosh preservation. This significant project was underwritten by a PHMC Keystone Historic Preservation Grant, a grant from the Berks County Community Foundation, a National Historic Preservation Appell Grant, along with the friends and members of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association.  The work on this valuable artifact was performed by the International Chimney Corporation of Buffalo, New York, famous for successfully relocating the Cape Hatteras Light House.

The Hay Creek Apple Festival at Historic Joanna Furnace is open on Saturday, October 12, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, October 13, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The Festival site is at Historic Joanna Furnace Iron Works located just off Route 10, three miles north of Morgantown; turn right on Furnace Road. Admission to the Festival is FREE. Parking is on site with a donation.

For more information, visit www.haycreek.org or call 610-286-0388

RESTORATION OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS AT JOANNA FURNACE

Morgantown, PA . . .  2019 has been a banner year for restoration and preservation projects by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association at the 228-year-old Joanna Furnace Ironworks near Morgantown. Approximately $300,000 will be invested this year to bring the charcoal furnace back to life through several restoration, preservation and research projects . . . preserving the blast furnace bosh, rebuilding the wheelwright shop and installing shutters on the office/store. In addition, a team from Kutztown University Department of Anthropology & Sociology is working on an archaeological study in the cellar of the Office/Store before installing a brick floor.

Ron Schlegel, President of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association states, “Every project we undertake, within the historic area, follows the rigorous National Historical Standards as defined by the Federal Historic Preservation Guidelines. It’s these guidelines that define specific techniques, methods, materials and the required research. The federal standards drive how we execute projects. Following the rigorous Historic Preservation Standards will ultimately benefit the site when we work to obtain the coveted National Historic Landmark Status for the Joanna Furnace Ironworks in the future.”

Restoration of the Joanna Furnace Wheelwright Shop is set to begin. After almost 15 years of exhaustive research by Hay Creek archaeology volunteers, the original stone foundation has revealed the footprint of this historic building. This mortise and tenon frame structure was about 17 feet by 24 feet. Executive Director Mark Zerr said “It stood until the late 1940s. Mainly it was a woodworker’s shop. It was the wheelwright’s responsibility to keep the company’s wagons ‘on the road’. His job was to construct wheels, spokes, hubs and even the wagons that would haul the charcoal, iron ore and limestone to the site and ultimately transport the finished iron products to market.”

Because only one partial photo of this building exists, Hay Creek preservationists had to rely heavily on archaeology to create a complete reproduction of the structure. The archaeology team uncovered many artifacts over the years but the critical discoveries for the reconstruction were the foundation size, broken glass which indicated window placement, door size and roof material (over the years there were three roofs-two of beaver tail tile and the final of slate). The old partial photo added visual evidence to the fact it was made of board and batten construction like the blacksmith shop across the road. The photo also gave the restoration team a gable end view which enabled them to establish the exact dimensions of the building as well as the pitch of the roof.

Because of the stringent restoration standards Hay Creek subscribes to,  18^th Century Restorations of Pottstown was awarded the mortise and tenon framing part of the project.  William M. Dunleavy Company of West Chester, who specializes in historic roof restoration, will be constructing the slate roof. John C.  Zerr & Sons of Geigertown will be constructing the poured concrete footer and stone mason Tim Angelo of Morgantown will be reconstructing the red sandstone foundation.

The Joanna Furnace Wheelwright shop is expected to cost approximately $115,000. The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association thanks an anonymous donor family who will be underwriting the major portion of this restoration project. This restoration donation honors the tradition of their father, grandfather and great-grandfather who were themselves, wheelwrights. This building will be completed in fall 2019.

Phase one of the Joanna Furnace bosh preservation has been completed. The Joanna blast furnace is unique among most of the remaining charcoal iron furnaces in Pennsylvania. It has one of the only ‘period’ boshes still in existence. This bosh, rebuilt before the last blast in 1898, makes Joanna Furnace an extraordinarily unique and valuable historic site.

The bosh is the firebrick lining of the lower funnel-shaped section of the blast furnace lining. This is where the temperatures were the hottest, exceeding 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of severe wear the bosh was rebuilt every nine to fourteen months for as long as the blast furnace was in operation.

The bosh project phase one was underwritten by a PHMC Keystone Historic Preservation Grant, a grant from the Berks County Community Foundation, National Historic Preservation Appell grant, along with the friends and members of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association.  The work on this valuable artifact was performed by the International Chimney Corporation of Buffalo, New York, famous for successfully relocating the Cape Hatteras Light House.

2019 has been a banner year in the restoration and preservation of Historic Joanna Furnace. Our event guests to the furnace are encouraged to visit the restoration sites. Executive Director, Mark Zerr stated, “Each year we strive to make the Joanna Furnace Ironworks more exciting for our guests. Our events are dedicated to preserving our local history and telling the story of the 18^th and 19^th centuries within the Joanna Furnace community.”

Click here to download Hay Creek Festival Student Day Form 2019

Morgantown, PA. On Saturday, April 6th Civil War buffs and enthusiasts are invited to come out to Historic Joanna Furnace to learn about Civil War reenacting. On this day the PA 50th & 69th Civil War regiments will meet at historic Joanna Furnace for their annual training day. This is where participants in these Civil War groups will go over all safety aspects of the hobby including proper handling of the rifle, as well as proper rifle firing techniques. The groups will also drill their troops, so they are ready to maneuver properly while out at Civil War reenactments. In addition, all personal reenactment equipment is checked to make sure that each member is ready to take the field safely. Guests are welcome to come out to Joanna Furnace on this day to observe and to ask questions. Plus, visitors who want to get involved in Civil War reenacting are welcome to sign up to be a part of this living history group. Admission and parking are free at this event.

The event starts off at 7 am with an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast in the Joanna Furnace Mule Stable. Other light fare including hot dogs, soup and drinks will be sold throughout the day. In the evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Hay Creek Valley Historical Association volunteers will join in the festivities with a lantern-lit tour of the 18th & 19th century Iron Works. Visitors will be able to visit the old furnace store/office, charcoal barn, blacksmith shop, casting house and see the iron furnace itself.

The 69th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry an Irish Unit, also known as the 69th Penna. Irish Volunteers is mostly known for repulsing Pickett’s charge at the “Angle” at Gettysburg on July 3rd, 1863. The 69th PVI fought every campaign with the Army of the Potomac from 1861-1865. Of the 1,007 men mustered in, in 1861, less the 56 still served at the surrender at Appomattox in 1865.

Today the 69th PVI is made up of individual men, women, fathers, sons, women, and families from all walks of life who are engaged in a wide variety of activities. We welcome all individuals who are interested in joining us to honor the men of the 69th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The 69th PVI honors the original 69th members by participating in Civil War reenactments, School presentations, Parades, Living histories programs as well as raising money for grave preservation of the unmarked graves of the original 69th PVI members.

Each year before our reenacting season starts, the 69th PVI participates in the School of Soldier. This is where we get together to refresh and to shake off the rust so to speak over the winter down time. We go over all safety aspects of the hobby including proper handling of the rifle, as well as proper rifle firing techniques. We also drill the troops, so they are ready to maneuver properly while fighting in the field. All personal equipment is checked to make sure that each member of the 69th PVI is ready to take the field safely.

The School of Soldier event will be shared with the 50th PVI. The 50th PVI is from Berks County, Schuylkill County, Lancaster County, and Luzerne County. The 50th was mostly a German unit. They were known by General Grant as “Old Reliable”. The 50th PVI was at Ft. Wagner with the 54th Mass. You may have seen the movie “Glory” which covers this battle at the end of the film.

The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the preservation and education of America’s iron heritage. Net proceeds from this event support the restoration and educational projects of The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association and Joanna Furnace, a historically significant 18th and 19th-century charcoal-fueled iron furnace. Anyone wishing to find more information about the 2019 events or educational programs at Joanna Furnace can visit the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association website at www.haycreek.org or call 610-286-0388. The Joanna Furnace site is located three miles north of Morgantown, along Route 10. For entrance turn at Furnace Road.

MORGANTOWN, PA    The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association is a-wear’n the green!! So pick up an Irish Brogue . . . bring your clan and your appetite to a fabulous ‘Irish Breakfast buffet’ on Saturday, March 16 from 7:00 a.m. to noon. That morning Joanna Furnace, figuratively, turns green with the best Gaelic atmosphere and eating imaginable. And if the food isn’t enough to draw people to the furnace, the entire buffet will be enhanced by traditional Irish music performed by Hay Creek’s own Lady of Song, Phyllis Hummel.

Many of the early Joanna Furnace workers were Irish

This homage to Ireland will feature a hearty, traditional Irish buffet of Pancakes, French toast, County Sausage, Homemade Corned Beef Hash, Bacon, Scrapple, Creamed Chipped Beef, Scrambled Eggs, Country Style Potatoes, Baked Oatmeal, Fruit, Coffee, Juice and more.  The cost for the Buffet: Adults $9.50 Children (5-11) $4.50 Children under 5 FREE.  Most of the Irish, and some Scottish songs to be heard would have been familiar to the Scotch-Irish workers at Joanna Furnace and their families in the local community.  Reservations are not required to attend.

Mark Zerr, Executive Director of the Hay Creek Valley Clan and the historic site, says “We start the new year off with our February Valentine’s event which brings an end to the winter doldrums.   This is now followed by our upcoming March 16^th  Irish Buffet.  It’s our way of bringing out the green in anticipation of spring for the families in our area communities. We want them to come out and see what’s new at Joanna Furnace. This event always previews of all the exciting events, programs and projects everyone can look forward to for the rest of the year.“

Learn about upcoming Hay Creek Valley Historical Association & Historic Joanna Furnace Volunteer Opportunities

March is the month when the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association opens up its doors and welcomes new volunteers to step forward and learn about being a tour guide at Joanna Furnace or taking a hands-on craft class on an early American trade.  This year’s course offerings includes:  March 12^th – Learn to be a Joanna Furnace Tour Guide, March 16^th – 19^th Century Metal Casting, March 16^th – Candle Making, March 19^th – “Letters of a Daughter’s Devotion Preserved for Centuries”, March 26^th – 19^th Century Iron Production at Joanna Furnace, March 30^th – Early American Cooking —  Colonial Chocolate, April 6^th – School of Soldier, April 27^th – Natural Dying.  For more information or to register for any of these classes please email info@haycreek.org.

The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the preservation and education of America’s iron heritage. Net proceeds from this event support the restoration and educational projects of The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association and Joanna Furnace, a historically significant 18^th and 19^th-century charcoal-fueled iron furnace.  Anyone wishing to find more information about the 2019 events or educational programs at Joanna Furnace can visit the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association website at www.haycreek.org  or call 610-286-0388.  The Joanna Furnace site is located three miles north of Morgantown, along Route 10.  For entrance turn at Furnace Road.

“Enjoy the quiet historic destination, calming romantic music and delicious breakfast with your Valentine… we’ll fill the air with history and love”

MORGANTOWN, PA . . . The 12th annual all-you-can-eat Joanna Furnace Valentine’s Breakfast Buffet, with live musical performances, will be held Saturday, February 16, at Historic Joanna Furnace Iron Works. This first event of the year opens the Joanna Furnace museum for a tremendously exciting season. In 2019 there will be many things happening at Joanna Furnace. The 1791 iron-making community will be preparing for three major annual festivals, numerous programs for public schools and three significant restoration projects, plus the Monthly Saturday morning events.

The Valentine Breakfast Buffet, open from 7 a.m. to 12 noon., will feature a traditional and varied breakfast buffet. Families can enjoy fresh country sausage, ham, scrapple, bacon, creamed chipped beef, scrambled eggs, pancakes, pancakes with chocolate chips French toast, hash browns, fruit sauce, beverages (including whipped hot chocolate) and our delicious Joanna Furnace chocolate covered strawberries.

Denver area guitarist Phyllis Hummel will play acoustical guitar and sing a variety of romantic ballads throughout the event. Ms. Hummel has been performing for more than 20 years in the Tri-County area and has performed at many area establishments.

“We have something for everyone, including the kids,” says Mark Zerr, executive director for the Joanna Furnace Museum and the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association. “This year we are looking forward to attracting new families and retired people to join us in our quest to become an even more significant historical and educational center. At this event visitors will be able to get information on the opportunity openings we have in various committees and prospects available to learn so many special crafts, foods, technology and educational interest areas. ”

Reservations for the Valentine’s Breakfast Buffet are not required. Admission for individual adults is $9.50, Children are encouraged; ages 5 – 11 are $5.00 and those under 5 eat free.

The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association is a non-profit organization. Net proceeds from this event are used to support the educational programs and restoration of Joanna Furnace. This significant 18th and 19th-century charcoal-fueled iron furnace community is nestled in a valley just off Route 10 on Furnace Road—north of Morgantown.

For more information, visit the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association website at www.haycreek.org or call 610-286-0388.