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Early Pennsylvania Iron Industry

June 11, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

HISTORIC POOLE FORGE

1940 Main Street, Narvon, PA 17555

Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 7:00 PM

  

Dan Graham, historian and author, will discuss the early Colonial iron industry of Pennsylvania and how Poole Forge was a part of it.  The presentation will include how iron was made and the differences between bloomeries, furnaces and forges.  The talk will also include an overview of Poole Forge founder, ironmaster James Old and his role in making cannon for the American cause during the Revolution.

Dan is an early Pennsylvania iron researcher and a Potts and Rutter family historian.  He has written more than 60 publications on the iron industry in Berks, Chester and Montgomery Counties and on Pottstown, Valley Forge and the Revolutionary War.  He holds a B.S. from West Virginia University and an MPA from George Washington University.  He is retired and lives in Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.


PRESENTATION

  • Introduction/Overview
  • Colonial Iron Industry
  • Bloomery Forge
  • Cold Blast Furnace
  • Refinery Forge
  • Furnace vs Forge
  • James Old
  • Revolution
  • Questions

Details