Ironworking With the Potts Family

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Lynn Symborski, community educator at Pottsgrove Manor.

Historic Pottsgrove Manor will host a lecture by historian Dan Graham on the colonial iron industry.

The lecture takes place on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m.

Graham has conducted extensive research on early ironworks in Pennsylvania and on the Potts and Rutter families. 

His talk will focus on the development and implementation of the Potts family’s colonial-era iron production and distribution system. 

Pottsgrove Manor in winter

He will discuss the evolution of their multi-forge, multi-furnace organization and how the expansion of their iron distribution practices kept up with industry demands, making Thomas Potts and his son, John Potts, some of the most successful ironmasters of their day. 

There is a suggested donation of $2 per person for the program.

After the lecture, tours of John Potts’ manor house and the museum’s current exhibit, “Forging a Lifestyle: Ironworking with the Potts Family,” will be offered. 

This will be one of the last opportunities to see the exhibit, which will close on Nov. 3. 

“Forging a Lifestyle” can also be viewed during a guided tour of Pottsgrove Manor during regular museum hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 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 pre-register by calling 610-326-4014.

Pottsgrove 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, & Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department. 

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

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