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Visitors to Historic Joanna Furnace Iron Works near Morgantown in southern Berks County will be whisked back to 1873 for Christmas at Joanna.
Held Dec. 1 from 5 to 9 p.m., and Dec. 2 and 3, from 4 to 9 p.m., the three-night event includes holiday shopping, light holiday treats, self-guided walking tours of the candlelit 200-year-old furnace complex, Christmas music, the Belsnickel, holiday bonfire, wagon rides for $2 per person weather permitting, Kid’s Santa Craft Workshop, Christmas Light Maze, Christmas Gift Basket Raffle and Christmas Craft Market.
More than 1,000 glowing luminarias will light up the furnace complex walkways.
The Joanna furnace Mule Stable will be transformed into the parlor of the Victorian mansion of Iron Master L. Heber Smith and his wife Ella Jane Grubb Smith. Gathered for a Christmas celebration, Smith family members will be busy in the kitchen making cookies and holiday treats, while others will be in the decorated parlor playing games and reminiscing about past Christmases by the fireplace. Guests are invited to interact with family members to learn more about the family and life in the iron furnace community.
Christmas 1873 was a grand time for the Smith ironmaster’s family and the residents of the Joanna Furnace community. They celebrated the holiday and gave thanks that the furnace was busy providing income to so many families. In fact, it was during this period of time that the ironmaking business was the most prosperous for the Smith family as they were operating two charcoal iron furnaces.
Victorian dancing will also take place in a large heated tent. The Hay Creek Valley Gold Band will perform while the Hay Creek Dancers perform period dances. Guests are invited to step onto the dance floor and participate.
Outside in front of the stage will be a bonfire. Nearby, local community organizations will perform on the stage. From time to time, the Belsnickel will make an appearance.
Children can also visit the Kid’s Santa Craft Workshop and make a holiday craft or have their face painted inside one of the heated tents and visit the popular Christmas Light Maze located on the Mansion grounds.
Take self-guided walking tours of the Joanna Furnace ironmaking complex and visit the Blacksmith Shop, Casting House, Wheelwright Shop and Office/Store. Live metal casting demonstrations will take in the Casting House where visitors will see aluminum Christmas stars being poured. These limited edition stars along with many unique traditional gifts will be for sale in the Joanna Furnace Office/Store building. A vintage train display will be in operation in the Mechanical Technology Building.
The Hay Creek Historians will provide food including sausage sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pork barbeque macaroni bowl, soups, chili and homemade “Furnace” fries. Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate, hot mulled cider and coffee. Freshly made kettle corn will also be available to purchase.
Visitors can enter the Christmas Gift Basket Raffle which contains gift baskets and certificates donated by area businesses and vendor participants.
The Christmas Craft Market showcases items for sale from vendors including baked goods, cookies and candy, assorted holiday décor items and crafts, hand-made wood items, homemade soaps, hand-crafted blacksmith items, stoneware pottery, hand-knit scarves, jewelry, candles, and fresh Christmas wreaths. Local mead and craft beer businesses will offer samples and sell beverages by the bottle.
Admission is $10 for adults and free for children ages 12 and younger. On-site parking is free.
Joanna Furnace is located three miles north of Morgantown off Route 10. Look for signs and enter by turning on Furnace Road. Parking is available on site and along Furnace Road. A safely lighted, easily accessible parking area is located along Furnace Road. For the safety of visitors, all are encouraged to avoid parking along Route 10.
The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association is a non-profit organization. Net event proceeds support the education, research, restoration and preservation of the 18th & 19th century Joanna Furnace Iron Works, Tri-County Heritage Library and the Hay Creek Valley community.
For additional information visit www.haycreek.org, Hay Creek Valley Historical Association on Facebook or call 610-286-0388.
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