Christmas at Joanna Furnace features a three-night 19th-century Victorian Christmas family destination
The evenings of Dec. 3 to 5, visitors to Joanna Furnace will be whisked away from the anticipation of their own Christmas season — back to the joyous celebration of the Christmas of 1871.
Whether families come for holiday shopping, light holiday treats, to experience the candlelit 200-year-old furnace complex, to hear Christmas music, or even have the kids encounter the Belsnickel, everyone is enthralled by the transformation of Joanna Furnace into a 19th-century-holiday experience.
Christmas 1871 was a grand time for the ironmaster’s family and the residents of the Joanna Furnace community. They celebrated the holiday and gave thanks that the furnace was busy providing income to so many families. Additionally, this year, the ironmaster and his wife are celebrating their fourth Christmas together. Visitors of all ages will be able to experience that long-ago time and gain a new perspective on their holiday celebration.
Candlelight illuminates the entire furnace complex.
The historic site takes on an entirely new radiance — more than 1,000 glowing luminarias light various furnace walkways. Visitors are encouraged to explore the furnace complex by following the clearly defined pathways.
Also, carefully placed lighting illuminates the historic buildings’ exteriors to give visitors a new perspective of the furnace complex. Inside, each building is illuminated by lamps or candles to recreate an 1890s atmosphere.
The Joanna furnace Mule Stable is transformed into the parlor of the Victorian mansion of Iron Master L. Heber Smith and his wife Ella Jane Grubb Smith. As visitors enter the candle lit parlor, they will see and smell the pleasant aroma of the freshly cut cedar Christmas Tree.
In the parlor, the Smith family members have gathered to prepare for a family Christmas celebration complete with a dining room table set for their upcoming feast, playing parlor games and will be sharing stories about past Christmases at Joanna Furnace by the fireplace. Guests are invited to interact with family members to learn more about the family and life in the iron furnace community.
Victorian dancing will also take place at the event in a large heated tent. The Hay Creek Trio will perform various old-time music while the Hay Creek Dancers will entertain visitors with period dances. Guests are also invited to step onto the dance floor and take place in the period dancing.
Outside, in front of the stage, the largest of the bonfires becomes the focal point of the furnace community. Here all can warm up by the fire and enjoy bonfire performances by local community organizations on the stage. Near the holiday bonfire, from time to time, the Belsnickel has been known to appear and delight visiting children.
Traditional wagon ridesgive visitors an alternative way to explore Joanna Furnace. Rides are $2 per person and occur weather permitting. The historic buildings will be open for visitors to explore on self-guided walking tours of the complex. Visitors can visit the Blacksmith Shop, Casting House, Wheelwright Shop and Office/Store.
Savor festival foods
The Hay Creek Historians are proud to provide guests with a variety of holiday foods. Enjoy such homemade foods as sausage sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pork and sauerkraut and mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, soups, chili, and French fries. Warm-up with hot chocolate, hot mulled cider or coffee.
Visitors can enter the Christmas Gift Basket Raffle. These baskets contain valuable items and certificates. All the baskets together contain over $2,000 worth of gifts and gift certificates donated by the area business community.
The youngsters can visit the Kid’s Santa Craft Workshop and face painting inside one of the heated tents. The Morgantown Arts Center will be providing various holiday craft activities for children in this workshop.
The Christmas Craft Market provides a showcase for visitors to shop for holiday gifts and home decorating items. Selected items available for purchase from the handpicked vendors include things such as baked goods & breads, cheese cakes; assorted holiday décor items and crafts; hand-made wood Items; homemade soaps. Other unique gift items such as hand-crafted blacksmith items, hand-knit scarves, beeswax manager scenes & ornaments, jewelry, candles, fresh Christmas wreaths and more are available. Rebel Hive Meadery from Lancaster will also be at the event giving out samples and selling their delicious wines by the bottle.
Admission is $10 for adults, Children 12 & under are free. Parking is free on-site.
Christmas at Joanna is Dec. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Dec. 4 and 5 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Joanna Furnace is located three miles north of Morgantown off Route 10. Look for signs and enter by turning on Furnace Road. Parking is available on site and along Furnace Road. A safely lighted, easily accessible parking area is located along Furnace Road. For the safety of visitors, all are encouraged to avoid parking along Route 10.
The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association is a non-profit organization. Net event proceeds support the education, research, restoration and preservation of the significant 18th & 19th century Joanna Furnace Iron Works and its community. For additional information visit www.haycreek.org, friend Joanna Furnace on Facebook or call 610286-0388.