Not our name, but our passion
The Lynn Museum founded in 1897 to collect and preserve the heritage of Lynn, Massachusetts is associated with the Lynn Heritage State Park and the Essex National Heritage Area. Located in downtown Lynn it has a eclectic collection of historical and artistic exhibits. The giant boot at the entrance of the museum represents Lynn’s shoemaking past.
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in southeastern Berks County, near Elverson, Pennsylvania, is an example of an American 19th century rural “iron plantation,” based a charcoal-fired cold-blast iron blast furnace. The significant restored structures include the furnace group (blast furnace, water wheel, blast machinery, cast house and charcoal house), plus the ironmaster’s house, company store, blacksmith’s shop, barn and several worker’s houses. Hopewell Furnace was founded c. 1771 by ironmaster Mark Bird, son of William Bird, who had been one of Pennsylvania’s most prominent ironmasters. The site’s most prosperous time was during the 1820-1840 period with a brief return to significant production during the American Civil War.
Today, Hopewell Furnace consists of 14 restored structures, 52 features on the List of Classified Structures, and a total of 848 mostly wooded acres. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is located in the Hopewell Big Woods and bordered by French Creek State Park on three sides and State Game Lands 43 on the south side, which preserves the lands the furnace utilized for its natural resources.
Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the third winter encampment of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, taking place from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778. The National Park Service preserves the site and interprets the history of the Valley Forge encampment. Originally Valley Forge State Park, it became a national historical park in 1976. The park contains historical buildings, recreated encampment structures, memorials, museums, and recreation facilities. The park encompasses 3,500 acres. Visitors can see restored historic structures, reconstructed structures such as the iconic log huts, and monuments erected by the states from which the Continental soldiers came. Visitor facilities include a visitor center and museum featuring original artifacts, providing a concise introduction to the American Revolution and the Valley Forge encampment. Ranger programs, tours, and activities are available seasonally. The park also provides 26 miles of hiking and biking trails, which are connected to a robust regional trails system. Wildlife watching, fishing, and boating on the nearby Schuylkill River also are popular.
A key attraction of the park is the restored colonial home used by General George Washington as his headquarters during the encampment.
The Washington Memorial Chapel and National Patriots Bell Tower carillon sit atop a hill at the center of the present park.
Sitting atop a hill at the intersection of the Outer Line of Defense with the Gulph Road, the National Memorial Arch dominates the southern portion of the park. It is dedicated “to the officers and private soldiers of the Continental Army December 19, 1777 – June 19, 1778.”
The Knox Covered Bridge is on site.
This mid-19th century Knox Covered Bridge was constructed by Robert Russell using a Burr Arch Truss and wooden planks, which are still in good shape today. Recently, it went under a rehabilitation by the National Park Service. The bridge is located in Valley Forge National Historical Park in Pennsylvania. It was named after either Philander C. Knox (1855-1921) United States Senator from Pennsylvania who owned 256 acres of land near the bridge or General Henry Knox (1750-1806) an officer quartered at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778.
The Eagle Hill Bog Trail in Roosevelt Campobello International Park on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada is a wonderful short hike through a maritime bog ecosystem. The hike is very easy along a boardwalk through the bog, the highpoint is observing the carnivorous plants that abound here.
