Thursday, July 11, 2013

Heavy Metal Tales at Pottsgrove Manor



Blogger's Note: News of an interesting program being offered at Pottsgrove Manor comes from Pottsgrove's Museum Educator, Lynn Symborski.

Historic Pottsgrove Manor will host a symposium on the production of iron in early Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 20, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,

The symposium, entitled “Making Iron in Colonial America,” is being held in conjunction with Pottsgrove Manor’s current exhibit, “Forging a Lifestyle: Ironworking with the Potts Family,” which explores the early Pennsylvania iron industry and the Potts family’s integral industry involvement.

Those interested in the area’s early industrial roots will not want to miss this symposium.

At 10 a.m., Rick Brouse, one of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site’s most experienced colliers, will give a talk on the process of making charcoal, the fuel of early American ironworks. 

After his presentation, a tour of the mansion and Pottsgrove Manor’s iron exhibit will be offered. Participants will enjoy a boxed lunch, provided by Pottstown’s own Positively Pasta, and have time to shop in the museum store before the afternoon presentation. 

At 1:30 p.m., local historian Robert Wood will give an illustrated presentation on the process of making wrought iron in early charcoal-powered ironworks, describing the steps involved and giving a sense of the huge expenditure of resources that went into iron production in the colonial era.

The symposium is open to participants ages 12 and up.

There is a fee of $20 per person, which includes a boxed lunch with a choice of sandwich. Spaces are limited. Registration and payment are required by July 16, 2013. Registration forms are available at Pottsgrove Manor or can be downloaded from http://montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/4379.

The “Forging a Lifestyle” exhibit can also be viewed on a guided tour of Pottsgrove Manor during regular museum hours Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins at 3 p.m.. 

The site is closed Mondays and major holidays. Groups of ten or more should preregister by calling (610) 326-4014.

Pottstown Manor is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown.

Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department. 

For more information, please call (610) 326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor

Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

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