Our region's history has been shaped by the iron industry, and we can still see signs of the past at our state parks today. Join Kings Gap, Pine Grove Furnace, and Caledonia State Parks for this three-part series. Attend each park's unique program to gain a complete understanding of what it took to produce cast iron long ago.

No registration required. 

Charcoal Production

Sunday, June 14th

1:00 PM - 2:30PM

Kings Gap Environmental Education Center

Immense amounts of charcoal were needed to fuel the iron furnaces of the region. Learn how the charcoal was produced and investigate clues left in the forest to locate a charcoal hearth. Meet at the Education Building.

Extracting the Iron

Sunday, July 12th

1:00 PM - 2:30PM

Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Iron furnaces had to transform the iron ore into a usable material. This intensive process required around-the-clock work. Communities naturally sprung up to support the furnace and its workers. Explore the remains of a local furnace community to learn how it functioned. Meet at the Old Stone Furnace Stack.

The Final Product

Sunday, August 9th

1:00 PM - 2:30PM

Caledonia State Park

Blocks of iron produced at furnaces were sent to area refineries for final preparation. Only then could the iron be molded into various products at places like blacksmith shops. Explore the old iron works at Caledonia to learn about this final step in iron production. Meet at the Blacksmith Shop.

For more information, contact us at 717-486-3799 or ra-nrspkingees@pa.gov