ELVERSON, PA — The National Park Service and the Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite the public to a special celebration marking the 248th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event will take place on July 4, 2024, at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. The annual commemoration ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m. at the steps of Ironmaster’s House.
The ceremony will feature musical performances by Molly Herman and Mekhi Bloodworth. Girl Scouts of the Daniel Boone Service Unit 763 and Boy Scouts of Pack and Troop 595 will present the colors. The event will also showcase winning essays from local middle and high school students. It will culminate with an inclusive reading of the Declaration of Independence, inviting everyone to join in.
From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., a variety of activities will be available. Visitors can enjoy orientation talks, molding and aluminum casting demonstrations, and Junior Ranger activities, both modern and period-themed. Blacksmithing demonstrations will offer a glimpse into historical craftsmanship.
Hopewell Furnace, established as a National Historic Site on August 3, 1938, preserves the late 18th and early 19th-century iron-making community. Founded in 1771 by Ironmaster Mark Bird, the charcoal-fueled furnace operated for 112 years. The site illustrates the crucial role of industrialization in early American growth.
Currently, the park is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Located at 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA, about five miles south of Birdsboro off Route 345, admission to Hopewell Furnace is free.
Join the celebration at Hopewell Furnace and honor the spirit of Independence Day in a historic setting. For more information visit the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site webpage on National Park Service website
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