Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

The National Park Service and the Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite you to join in commemorating the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. The annual formal commemoration ceremony will take place at 2:00 pm from the steps of Ironmaster’s Mansion on site. Other programming will be offered throughout the day and is open and free to the public.

Hopewell Furnace invites you to attend its annual sheep shearing and spring charcoal burn kickoff on Saturday, May 10 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. All programs are open to the public and free of charge. Visitors can learn about how and why we shear sheep and discover what people in the 19th century could do with the wool. Shearing will occur every 20 minutes, starting at 11:30 am with the last around 3:30 pm. Additionally, park staff and volunteers will discuss and demonstrate fiber arts, blacksmithing, and bake oven techniques from the time period. Park rangers will offer a Storytime with the Ranger at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.

Students in grades 6-12 have a chance to shine—and to win a cash award—in this year’s Independence Day Writing Contest.