Dog Day Afternoon

FDR with Fala, his favorite four-footed friend.

The National Park Service invites the public to celebrate FDR’s famous Scottie dog Fala, with a day of “doggie” fun at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site on Saturday, June 16.

Special activities which begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. remember Fala, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s favorite dog, who traveled with the President nearly everywhere he went.

The free activities will focus on getting out with your pooch and enjoying the outdoors. Pets must be leashed and visitors are expected to clean up after them.

“On Fala Day, we are encouraging visitors to come with their dogs, take a walk, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy their national park,” said Superintendent Shean-Hammond.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.

“June is a beautiful time to explore the miles of trails at Hopewell, French Creek and their surrounding Hopewell Big Woods,” she added.

Plans for the day include presentations featuring the story of FDR’s Fala along with fun-filled dog competitions (with ribbons awarded) in the historic village.

Various canine organizations will give visitors a chance to learn more about dogs and their role in society. Program times are 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m..

In 1933 at the height of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as one of the New Deal programs aimed at solving the nation’s economic crisis. Under the supervision of the National Park Service, the CCC built the federal French Creek Recreation Demonstration Area which gave rise to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and French Creek State Park.

The foundations of American industry are featured at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, an early iron making plantation.

For the summer, the park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. including Independence Day (July 4) and, Labor Day.

Dogs of all sizes will be welcomed at Hopewell Furnace on June 16.

The remainder of the year the park is fully open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, including Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. It is closed on other federal holidays.

On Mondays and Tuesdays while the Visitor Center and historic village are closed, the grounds and restrooms remain open.

 There is no entrance fee to Hopewell Furnace. Hopewell Furnace is located five miles south of Birdsboro, off of Route 345.

 For more information stop by the park's visitor center, call 610-582-8773, visit the park's web site at www.nps.gov/hofu, or contact the park by e-mail at hofu_superintendent@nps.gov.