Thrifty Thursday - A Visit to Saugus Ironworks National Historic Site

I had the opportunity, along with my husband to visit the  Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site  in Saugus, Massachusetts this past weekend.   My visit was not because of curiosity about the iron industry, although I am intrigued now that I took a tour of the Iron Works.  I have been researching a particular ancestor on and off for a few years, and recently my quest led me to Saugus.  There will be more about him in a future post, but for now, I would like to tell you about my experience at the Iron Works.

Blacksmith Shop

Located ten miles north of Boston on the Saugus River is a reconstruction of the Hammersmith Iron Works. Dating back to the 1640’s in old Lynn, which is now part of Saugus, the Hammersmith Iron Works was one of the first in New England and the brainchild of the governor of Massachusetts’ son, John Winthrop, Jr.  The reconstruction of the site began in 1948 with funds from the American Iron and Steel Institute. The grounds of the Iron Works consist of a reconstructed blast furnace, forge, and rolling and slitting mill on the original location of the mill.

Although, it was a damp and rainy day, we were lucky to be a part of a free guided tour along with a pack of curious cub scouts.  Our park ranger acquainted us with the iron making process as well as the history of the iron industry in the colonies and the men who founded, managed, and worked at the mill. The Company of Undertakers of the Iron Works of New England, a group of about twenty Englishmen and three or four Massachusetts residents, employed many of the workers, indentured servants from England and Scottish prisoners of the English Civil War.  Hammersmith Iron Works lasted until the 1650’s when many of the men who labored at Hammersmith went on to work at other iron mills throughout New England.

Whether you are a teacher of history or science, a cub scout leader, or just curious, I highly recommend a visit the Saugus Iron Works, which is the gateway to the Essex National Heritage Area.