The Friends of Cornwall Iron Furnace will introduce a new Christmas at Cornwall event this year on Saturday, Dec. 7. The family-friendly day, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will highlight the Cornwall community.
As in years past, Cornwall Manor will partner with the Friends group in providing access to its restored buildings, with tours available of the public areas of the 19-room Buckingham Mansion, the historic Sarah Coleman greenhouse, and the 1860s Paymaster's Office, with a visit from Santa Claus as portrayed by Irvin Muritz. A model railroad display of the Cornwall area complete with scale models of the major buildings will be located in the stable. Additionally, the Cookies, Carols, Crafts, and More event will be held at Freeman Community Center in the morning and will include the singing of Christmas carols, the sale of homemade cookies and crafts, and holiday gift wrapping by donation.
At the Cornwall Iron Furnace, horse-drawn wagon rides or a Cornwall Manor bus, if preferred, will take visitors along Boyd Street to the end of Minersvillage. A tour guide will point out the famous Cornwall mine as well as the furnace manager's house, stable, abattoir, blacksmith and wagon shops, the miners' boarding house, Minersvillage store, and some of the older homes in the village. Visitors may also tour a private home, which will be decorated for Christmas. Michael Weber, a qualified geologist, will be on hand at the furnace site to talk about the various minerals that were found during the mining operation.
At the furnace, the Belsnickel, a Pennsylvania German Christmas character, will visit. The Belsnickel will be portryaed by Rick Brouse of East Petersburg, who has played the role at the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum for many years. The museum store will be open for business, and a local craftsman will sell handmade kitchen-related gift items such as cutting boards, cookie cutters, potholders, and wooden spoons. Craft projects for children will be offered. Seasonal refreshments, including cookies, will be available, and lunch may be purchased at the Cornwall Manor Cafe or in local restaurants.
Historically, the furnace operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, irrespective of holidays. From 1829 to 1861, the furnace was likely in blast during Christmas every year except 1831. Guides will offer guided tours of the furnace throughout the day.
Separate costs have been set for adults, for senior citizens and AAA members, and for youths ages 13 to 17. Children age 12 and under will be admitted for free. Tickets will be sold in advance and on the day of the event at the Cornwall Iron Furnace Visitor Center. For updated information, including parking around the area, readers may call the furnace at 717-272-9711 or visit http://www.cornwallironfurnace.org.
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