Subject: Re: Metal tourism near Boston, MA?

From: [email-masked] (Don Stauffer)
Date: 23 Apr 1996 08:09:55 CDT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] (Dan Moore) 
says:
>
>Howdy All,
>
>I am heading for Boston this week and
>would like to hear about any metal
>related sights thatare not to be missed.
>Blacksmithing related stuff would be 
>particularly interesting to me.
>
>Dan
>
Although I have no near term plans for visiting that area, Dan's question 
brings up a site that I have heard about.  I understand there is an old 
foundary near Boston.  Is is something like Saugus?  Anyway, if there is 
someone in the area who can answer Dan's question, how about something on 
that foundary.

Don Stauffer in Minneapolis
[email-masked]

---

From: [email-masked] (Roger Mitchell)
Date: 23 Apr 1996 18:48:07 GMT

The Saugus Iron Works is a restoration of an original water powered iron
mill and foundry that dates back to colonial times. They made stuff from
nails to cannonballs there using bog iron ore, limestone and charcoal all
produced locally. It is quite an interesting place to visit.

				Roger Mitchell
				VP and Master Mechanic
				Fort Collins Municipal Railway
				Fort Collins, Colorado
				DE N0MCR amateur radio

---

From: [email-masked] (James Kirkpatrick)
Date: 23 Apr 96 13:11:06 MDT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] (Dan Moore) writes:
|>I am heading for Boston this week and
|>would like to hear about any metal
|>related sights thatare not to be missed

Depends on how close to Boston you're talking about, or *in* Boston.
The FAQ has a section on metalworking/related museums.  You may find
the Boston Computer Museum interesting, maybe not.

      At Saugus (North of Boston), the iron works is a fine example of
      a 1650  iron works right down to a  replica of one of only 8
      rolling and slitting mills that existed in the world at that time.

There are many possibilities in Massachusetts but I'm not sure how
close to Boston they are.

Jim

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From: [email-masked] (Ron Ginger)
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 1996 19:46:12 LOCAL

In article <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Don Stauffer) writes:
>From: [email-masked] (Don Stauffer)
>Subject: Re: Metal tourism near Boston, MA?
>Date: 23 Apr 1996 08:09:55 CDT

>someone in the area who can answer Dan's question, how about something on 

The Sagus iron Works. Its a national historic site. It was the first iron 
works in the US. All water powered. A forge blower, an trip hammer and a few 
other items are on display. Nothing working, all static, re-created, displays.

Its been several years since I was there, but I know its still open because I 
pass the sign for it off the freeway every day. 

Sagus is north on rt 128 (or I-95 if you follow the Feds numbers) At about teh 
10:00 oclock position to boston, about 10 miles out.

Also the Charles River Museum of Industry in Waltham MA. (Home to the now one 
month old New England Model Engineering Society). A nice musuem, lots of 
mechanial exhibits. Heavy into watches and clocks- Waltham was known as Watch 
City.

Due west of Boston, about 8 miles. On the Charles river. Easy to reach by 
comuter rail.

About 70 miles south, in East  Greenich RI is the New England Musuem of 
Wireless and Steam. The combination is because the guy that started it likes 
both subjects. They have many LARGE steam engines. They often run them on 
weekends. Its a small place, but some good exhibits. Weekends only, and 
warm season only. 

Ron Ginger
my signature is http://www.ultranet.com/~ginger

---

From: [email-masked]
Date: 24 Apr 1996 12:01:00 GMT

The Saugus Iron works In Saugus Mass is definitely a must-see
for anyone even slightly interested in ironworking.  It is a
restored iron manufactory from the 1500's, and includes a
fantastic rolling and slitting mill which is powered by two
water wheels and turned by big wooden gears.  

It is run by the national park service.

Hope you get to see it.

Doug Alwine

---

From: Steve Wellcome <[email-masked]>
Date: 24 Apr 1996 13:28:18 GMT

Yes, there's Saugus Iron Works, I think it's called.  I've never
been there, but I've heard about it.  It's basically a museum,
showing how iron was made in colonial days.  I don't think they
actually smelt iron there anymore, but the brochure I saw looked
interesting.  Whether this is a place "not to be missed" is, I
guess, your call.

A bit farther afield is Old Sturbridge Village, which has a 
working blacksmith shop. There's also a tinsmith, broom maker,
sawyer (with water-powered sawmill), shoemaker, cooper, and other 
trades doing their thing.  One can easily spend a day there, 
wandering around.  The focus is early 19th century life in general, 
so the metalworking aspects of it are somewhat peripheral, but I 
find the whole place interesting.

---

From: [email-masked] (John Wishneusky)
Date: 24 Apr 1996 20:06:27 GMT

>other items are on display. Nothing working, all static, re-created, displays.
I can recall being there when they demonstrated the rolling mill and
one of the other machines (perhaps a trip hammer?).  During the summer,
I believe, they run some of the waterwheels and show how the equipment
worked.  It was about 4-5 years ago that I last visited with my kids.  

It's a fairly small site overall, but nicely kept and quite
interesting.

John

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From: [email-masked] (barnwell)
Date: 25 Apr 1996 03:15:50 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] says...
>restored iron manufactory from the 1500's, and includes a

I kinda doubt its from the 1500's since plymouth rock is a 1620 event and
it took a few hours or was it years to get around to making Iron in Saugus. 

But all kidding aside I think saugus was a 1700-early 1800 kind of place.

		John

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From: [email-masked] (Edk4)
Date: 25 Apr 1996 18:43:41 -0400

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked]
(barnwell) writes:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
    (the Saugus Iron Works ...)

>>restored iron manufactory from the 1500's, and includes a ...

>But all kidding aside I think saugus was a 1700-early 1800 kind of place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------

                                              To set the record straight.

The town of Saugus, MA, was founded in 1629.  
The Saugus Ironworks, "Hammersmith",  was incorporated in 1641 and began
operation in 1643.

Tours are conducted by the National Park Service.

Monday thru Friday at 2:15 PM.
Saturdays and Sundays at 9:45 and 11:15 AM - 2:15 and 3:45 PM. 
In the summer, weekday schedules are the same as weekends.

There is a resident blacksmith and the main forge equipment 'runs'.
Better hurry, this is one of several hundred small 'Historical Parks'
currently threatened by congress with the loss of funding.

------------------
Ed Kingsley

---

From: [email-masked] (Doug Alwine)
Date: 25 Apr 1996 22:25:34 GMT

Several people have written to point out the typo in my
post yesterday.  Saugus Iron works was originally built
around 1640, and operated until almost 1670.  

I guess the 100 year error can't be blamed on a software bug,
so it must be my typing skills.   Sorry for the error.  :)

Doug Alwine

---

From: [email-masked] (Peter Brooks)
Date: 26 Apr 1996 01:35:52 GMT

Yes, I understand that Saugus Ironworks is a national site.  I was a wee bit
young when I last saw it (in 1960!), but at that time, it wasn't completely
working, but they had some of the machinery under power.

Hmm, not sure if it was a foundry so mauch as a iron/steel making place
with a bunch of forgine equipment.  OTOH, it's worth a side trip.

Saugus is a bit outside of Boston--check your rent-a-wreck maps....

Pete Brooks

: Although I have no near term plans for visiting that area, Dan's question 
: brings up a site that I have heard about.  I understand there is an old 
: foundary near Boston.  Is is something like Saugus?  Anyway, if there is 
: someone in the area who can answer Dan's question, how about something on 
: that foundary.

: Don Stauffer in Minneapolis
: [email-masked]

---

From: [email-masked] (Peter Katz )
Date: 28 Apr 1996 18:14:02 GMT

Hi,
Saugus Iron Works is located just 20 minutes north of Boston by car.
(when there is not monumental traffic)  There are signs directing you
to the place.  Ifyou are going I will give you better directions.  It
is an interesting place.  Better yet for metalworking and jewelry is
the area around Attleboro MA.  Lots of manufacturing plants ofr metal. 
That is about 1 1/2 hours south of Boston proper.  Providence RI and
Cranston RI are also areas of maufacture for the metals industry.  Get
a hold of a copy of the MJSA  Maufactring Jewlers Society of America ,
One State Stret, Providence RI 02908.  They would have info about the
topics that you are interested in.
      Beth Katz   [email-masked]

a In <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Peter Brooks)

---

From: PAUL <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 28 Apr 96 09:52:25 -0500

>particularly interesting to me.
 
Don't miss the Saugus MA Iron Works. Ther are signs all over town to direct
you. Take Route 1 North, about 10 miles.
Paul