Cornwall Iron Furnace
National Historic Landmark

Cornwall Iron Furnace

Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
Listed
November 13, 1966
Type
District
Period
Colonial
Ref No.
66000671

About this property

Cornwall Iron Furnace is a designated National Historic Landmark that is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The furnace was a leading Pennsylvania iron producer from 1742 until it was shut down in 1883. The furnaces, support buildings and surrounding community have been preserved as a historical site and museum, providing a glimpse into Lebanon County's industrial past. The site is the only intact charcoal-burning iron blast furnace in its original plantation in the Western Hemisphere. Established by Peter Grubb in 1742, Cornwall Furnace was operated during the American Revolution by his sons Curtis and Peter Jr. who were major arms providers to George Washington. Robert Coleman acquired Cornwall Furnace after the Revolution and became Pennsylvania's first millionaire. Ownership of the furnace and its surroundings was transferred to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1932.

Location

Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
40.27001, -76.40670

Categories

INDUSTRY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Nearby Historic Sites

Alden Villa
Industrial
1.3 mi
Mount Hope Estate (Boundary Increase)
Listed
3.1 mi
Mount Hope Estate
Industrial
3.2 mi
Lebanon Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District
Listed
3.3 mi
Mt. Gretna Campmeeting Historic District
Listed
3.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Cornwall Iron Furnace listed on the National Register?

Cornwall Iron Furnace was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 13, 1966.

What type of historic resource is Cornwall Iron Furnace?

Cornwall Iron Furnace is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Cornwall Iron Furnace a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Cornwall Iron Furnace has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Cornwall Iron Furnace?

The period of significance for Cornwall Iron Furnace is recorded as the colonial era, specifically around 1742.

Can I research the history near Cornwall Iron Furnace?

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