Visitors to Joanna Furnace will be whisked away to a Victorian celebration of Christmas of 1874.
Held on Dec. 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Dec. 7 and 8 from 4 to 9 p.m., the Historic Joanna Furnace Iron Works in Robeson Township will be transformed into a 19th-century-holiday experience with a candlelit 200-year-old furnace complex featuring holiday shopping, light holiday treats, Christmas music and even encounter the Belsnickel.
Christmas 1874 was a grand time for the Smith 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. In fact, it was during this period of time that the ironmaking business was the most prosperous for the Smith family as they were operating two charcoal iron furnaces.
Visitors of all ages will be able to experience that long-ago time and gain a new perspective on their holiday celebration.
More than 1,000 glowing luminaria will light walkways and illuminate the historic buildings. Inside, each building is illuminated by lamps or candles to recreate an 1870s atmosphere.
The Joanna furnace Mule Stable is transformed into the parlor of the Victorian mansion of Iron Master L. Heber Smith and his wife Ella Jane Grubb Smith, portrayed by Gary Kurtz of Elverson and Marcia Cook-Love of Birdsboro. The Smith family will be playing games and reminiscing about past Christmas by the fireplace. Guests are invited to interact with family members to learn more about the family and life in the iron furnace community.
Guests are invited to step onto the dance floor and participate in Victorian-period dancing in a large heated tent. The Hay Creek Valley Gold Band will perform various old-time music while the Hay Creek Dancers will perform period dances.
Outside, in front of the stage, the largest of the roaring bonfires becomes the focal point of the furnace community. Enjoy bonfire performances by local community organizations on the stage. From time to time, the Belsnickel has been known to visit with children.
Other activities include a Christmas Light Maze on the Mansion grounds, holiday craft making and face painting at the Kid’s Santa Craft Workshop and traditional wagon rides, weather permitting, are $2 per person.
Take self-guided walking tours of the Joanna Furnace ironmaking complex and visit the Blacksmith Shop, Casting House, Wheelwright Shop and Office/Store. Live metal casting demonstrations will take place in the Casting House where visitors will see aluminum Christmas stars being poured. These limited edition stars along with many unique traditional gifts will be for sale in the historic Joanna Furnace Office/Store building. A vintage train display will be in operation in the Mechanical Technology Building.
The Hay Creek Historians will provide homemade foods such as sausage sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, a pork barbeque macaroni bowl, soups, chili and homemade Furnace fries, plus hot chocolate, hot mulled cider and coffee. Freshly made kettle corn and roasted nuts will also be available to purchase.
Also, enter the Christmas Gift Basket Raffle that contains certificates donated by area businesses and vendor participants at the Christmas event.
Enjoy holiday shopping at the Christmas Craft Market for holiday gifts and home decorating items. Vendors include baked goods, cookies and candy, assorted holiday décor items and crafts, hand-made wood items, homemade soaps, hand-crafted blacksmith items, stoneware pottery, hand-knit scarves, jewelry, candles, and fresh Christmas wreaths. Local mead, wine and craft beer businesses will offer samples and sell by the bottle.
Admission is $10 for adults and free for children aged 12 and younger. Parking is free on-site.
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 18th & 19th century Joanna Furnace Iron Works, Tri-County Heritage Library and the Hay Creek Valley community.
For additional information visit www.haycreek.org, friend Hay Creek Valley Historical Association on Facebook or call 610-286-0388.
