Cornwall Iron Furnace

Cornwall Iron Furnace Cornwall Iron Furnace (PA) was a facility that supported an iron dynasty from 1742-1883.

It’s starting to feel like summer at Cornwall Iron Furnace!
06/02/2026

It’s starting to feel like summer at Cornwall Iron Furnace!

Wednesday, June 3 is the last day to RSVP for the Annual Meeting! Join us on Wednesday, June 10 at 6:00PM for our Annual...
06/01/2026

Wednesday, June 3 is the last day to RSVP for the Annual Meeting! Join us on Wednesday, June 10 at 6:00PM for our Annual Membership Meeting. This evening will start under the Connecting Shed for light refreshments, great conversation, and a new silent auction. The gathering will then move into the Visitor Center for a Q&A session with recently appointed Site Administrator, Becky LaBarre, and board meeting. The meeting will adjourn at 8:00PM with optional activities to follow including an Artifact Presentation: Up Close with the Coleman Carriage and opportunities to browse the museum shop and exhibit gallery. Don’t miss this very special evening to celebrate our accomplishments and look ahead to the future with friends and fellow members!

Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, June 3, 2026 by calling the Furnace office at (717) 272-9711 or by sending an email to [email protected].

As we end Preservation Month, we’re looking to the future as we continue to preserve Cornwall Iron Furnace. This unique ...
05/31/2026

As we end Preservation Month, we’re looking to the future as we continue to preserve Cornwall Iron Furnace. This unique National historic Landmark is the only surviving charcoal cold-blast furnace on the western hemisphere. Similar furnaces existed throughout the region; however, none survive in the same condition as Cornwall. We are grateful to all of the preservation work that came before and will continue to keep this historic gem around for many more years!

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, the Visitor Center moved to the Charcoal Barn in 1964. The new bigger Visitor Center i...
05/30/2026

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, the Visitor Center moved to the Charcoal Barn in 1964. The new bigger Visitor Center included an exhibit space and bathrooms on the first floor and a newly constructed second floor in the first bay for staff offices. Renovations also included repairs to the roof, the installation of new entrances, and replacement of roof ladders. Paved walkways were also completed at the same time. A year later in 1965, renovations were completed in the furnace building including the replacement of wooden walkways and stairs. This preservation work ensured that Cornwall Iron Furnace would be accessible to visitors who came to learn about Pennsylvania’s iron history.

A frequent question by visitors in “What was the purpose of this small building?” Based on its appearance, it seems to b...
05/29/2026

A frequent question by visitors in “What was the purpose of this small building?” Based on its appearance, it seems to be an original structure. However, it was actually a later addition built in the 1940s!

On May 22, 1944, architect George Edwin Brumbaugh was hired by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission to draw up plans for restrooms and a heater room in the furnace building. Brumbaugh was the son of Governor Martin Grove Brumbaugh and Anna Konigmacher Brumbaugh. He was well-known for his restoration work at several properties including Ephrata Cloister, Daniel Boone Homestead, and Wright’s Ferry Mansion.

Initially, his plan was to put the bathrooms and heater somewhere in the furnace building. However, by 1947, his plans had changed, and he submitted plans for a separate building located outside of the Steam Engine Room and next to the Casting House. The new building was modeled after the Gothic Revival architecture of the original historic structures. The building was completed in 1950. In 1964, they determined that the site needed a larger Visitor Center because of increased visitation, and the Charcoal Barn was converted. Today, the small building is used as a garden shed.

Another important preservation project at Cornwall Iron Furnace was the installation of electric lights in the furnace b...
05/28/2026

Another important preservation project at Cornwall Iron Furnace was the installation of electric lights in the furnace building in the 1940s. These electric lights were modeled after original tallow lamps dating from the 1880s.

This shows the lights after installation.

Join us on Wednesday, June 10 at 6:00PM for our Annual Membership Meeting! This evening will start under the Connecting ...
05/27/2026

Join us on Wednesday, June 10 at 6:00PM for our Annual Membership Meeting! This evening will start under the Connecting Shed for light refreshments, great conversation, and a new silent auction. The gathering will then move into the Visitor Center for a Q&A session with recently appointed Site Administrator, Becky LaBarre, and board meeting. The meeting will adjourn at 8:00PM with optional activities to follow including an Artifact Presentation: Up Close with the Coleman Carriage and opportunities to browse the museum shop and exhibit gallery. Don’t miss this very special evening to celebrate our accomplishments and look ahead to the future with friends and fellow members!

Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, June 3, 2026 by calling the Furnace office at (717) 272-9711, sending an email to [email protected] , or stopping by the Visitor Center.

Last week, we had a visit from ’sTransportationExperience/AACAMuseum,Inc. with their pre-1915 cars!
05/25/2026

Last week, we had a visit from ’sTransportationExperience/AACAMuseum,Inc. with their pre-1915 cars!

On May 24, 1861, William Coleman died at the age of 34. He was the youngest son of Thomas Bird and Hannah Cassat Coleman...
05/24/2026

On May 24, 1861, William Coleman died at the age of 34. He was the youngest son of Thomas Bird and Hannah Cassat Coleman. William joined his older brother R.W. in managing Cornwall Iron Furnace in 1848. The two brothers acted as ironmasters for thirteen years until William’s death in 1861. R.W. would continue as ironmaster until his death in 1864. He is buried at Laurel Hill East Cemetery near his siblings, wife, and son.

Address

94 Rexmont Road
Cornwall, PA
17016

Opening Hours

Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+17172729711

Website

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