Slept in a bit this morning, then walked to Bagels Plus for a NY bagel breakfast. What a selection - and tasty too. We sat outside as the day is coolish and dry - so far.
A little rain here and there as we traverse the towns and farmland of eastern PA. We decide to make a stop at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.
Lots of apple trees line the drive in with lots of fallen apples on the ground. We learn later than you can pick your own!
Hopewell Furnace began operation in 1771 and at that point 15% of the World's iron was made in the US. It was a prime site, being only a few days from Philadelphia and there was an abundance of wood for fuel, iron ore and limestone. It produced about 1,000 tons of iron a year. The furnace required 15 bushels of charcoal and 400-500 pounds of iron ore, plus 30-40 pounds of limestone EVERY 1/2 HOUR!
Early on, slave labor was part of the process, but by 1830 it was fully integrated and there was equal pay. The site included housing, farmland, stores, blacksmith shop and a nearby church. Workers included miners, wood cutters, others who made charcoal. And of course many people were required to grow and cook food, transport supplies and provide other services. The highest paid, at $1.25/hr, were those that tended the 3,000 degree furnace and poured the molten iron into molds. Many worked long hours, 7 days a week. The charcoal was made in large mounds and those who tended it l had to live nearby, in huts like this.
Water power was used to operate the bellows for the furnace.
The Furnace was sold in 1786 and began to make their most profitable products - 23 types and sizes of Hopewell Stoves. These were popular everywhere and known as a good product. The small welcome center had a display of several types.
The last blast of the furnace was in 1883 and the site lay dormant till the CCC revitalized it as a National Site in 1938.
We managed to watch the film and visit most of the site before the rains came. Never did get back to those apples!
Back to Mom's to return her car and visit. We met Gwynne tonight for dinner at a small Italian restaurant in Honeybrook, near her worksite, to catch up and say adieu. (Gwynne and friend Peggy are interested in going to the NYC 9/11 site one weekend.)
This is typical of the traffic we dealt with in this area.
Re-packed and got ready to head out tomorrow. Mom has gifted us with 2 loaves of her sourdough cinnamon raisin bread - yum - along with some special dishes and bowls that we can use for our Gourmet dinner group.
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