Christmas At Joanna
23rd ANNUAL CHRISTMAS AT JOANNA – Friday – Sunday, December 1 – 3, 2023
Event Participant Registration Forms
Date: Friday – Sunday, December 1 – 3, 2023.
Time: Friday – 5 to 9 pm and Saturday & Sunday – 4 to 9 pm.
Admission: Adults $10.00, Children 12 & Under Free
a Captivating, Nighttime Historic Setting.
Meet the Ironmaster and Participate in Victorian Dancing
Ironmaster L. Heber Smith and his family will open of the doors of their beautiful mansion parlor for guests to enjoy their elaborate Victorian decorations. Warmed by the enchantment of candlelight, young and old alike will enjoy learning about the ironmaster’s Christmas and seeing the 15’ cedar tree which is decked out for the holiday season. Guests will also be treated to a cookie as they depart the Ironmaster’s home.
An Ironmaster’s celebration would not be complete without having Victorian dancing! Guests are invited to watch the melodious Hay Creek Trio perform Civil War era music while the Hay Creek Dancers entertain visitors with period dances. Guests are also invited to step onto the dance floor and take part in the spirited Victorian dancing.
Joanna Furnace Walking Tours
Learn what it was like to live on an 18th & 19th century iron plantation. Guests can walk the luminary lined pathways of the 26-acre historic Joanna Furnace site and visit the Office/Store building, Casting House, Blacksmith Shop and our newly constructed Wheelwright Shop. Here costumed interpreters will tell you what the life of the iron worker was like during Christmas 150 years ago.
Shop In Our Christmas Market
The Christmas Market features a wide variety of juried crafts and food items. With over 30 stands to shop you can purchase a variety of Christmas gifts and holiday party items. Our Christmas market has ornaments, wreaths, home décor and country craft items, handspun wool products, candles, jewelry, soaps, Christmas cookies, candies, cakes, and cheeses to name just a few of the gifts in our market.
Visitors can also purchase tickets for our popular Gift Basket Raffle in our Christmas Market. Baskets which include gift certificates, holiday and home improvement items, family fun activity passes, pet supplies, and ladies & gentleman specialty gifts are donated from area businesses. Valued from $40 to several hundred dollars these baskets can be shared with friends and family during your holiday celebrations. GOOD LUCK!
Traditional Wagon Rides
What a better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to take an old fashion wagon ride with your family through the historic Joanna Furnace iron plantation! Rides run continuously though the site that is illuminated with special lighting.
Live Nativity
You will see the live re-enactment of the Nativity of our Lord. So come experience the Christmas Story and make a public witness to the true meaning of Christmas.
Bonfire Entertainment
Nestle up by our roaring bonfire and listen to holiday music performed by local community groups. Visitors are encouraged to sing along and enjoy stories of Christmas legends told by our own Ghost of Christmas Present. Beware! Lest you feel the switch of the Belsnickel across your back—if you have not been a good child. However, all “good children” will be rewarded with a sweet treat.
Luminary Pathways & Christmas Light Maze
Stroll the luminary pathways throughout the Joanna Furnace complex and feel the charm of 1,000 glowing candles. Plus Children of all ages will enjoy walking through our 3,200 square foot light maze on the hillside that overlooks the beautiful glow of the Christmas at Joanna grounds.
Train Display and Mechanical Technology Exhibits
No Christmas event is complete with toy trains. Children of all ages will be enthralled by the Antique & Vintage Train Display – located in the Mechanical Technology Building. To complete the historic interpretation of early technology, the 19th century line shaft will be operating actual old-time manufacturing machinery. Also throughout the weekend, the Joanna Furnace Sawmill will be in operation showing how lumber was made from logs in the 19th century.
Heart-Warming Foods
Delicious foods and drinks prepared by Hay Creek Valley Historical Association volunteers will be available to purchase throughout the week-end. Items include: Sausage Sandwiches, Homemade Pork & Sauerkraut, Macaroni & Cheese, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, French Fries, Soup, Chili, Soda, Bottled Water, Coffee, Hot Chocolate and Hot Mulled Cider. Fresh kettle corn is also popped nightly in our Christmas Market. Food can be purchased with food tickets at our conveniently located tickets booths. Credit cards are also accepted when purchasing food tickets.
Christmas at Joanna Parking and Directions
Convenient parking is located on the Historic Joanna Furnace grounds and along the safely-lit Furnace Road. We are located three miles north of Morgantown on Route 10. Turn at Furnace Road. Mapquest 1250 Furnace Road, Morgantown, PA 19543.