Posted on June 5, 2017 by Devon Beck

Friends of Hopewell Furnace to Showcase Hopewell Quilts

Friends of Hopewell Furnace to Showcase Hopewell Quilts

Union Township—The art of quilting has been practiced at Hopewell Furnace since its inception in 1771. Quilting and quilting demonstrations continue today. On Sunday, June 11, Becky Hughes and the Hopewell Quilters will present an overview of quilting at Hopewell Furnace.  Several rare historic quilts from the park’s archives will be displayed to complement the program.  This free event will begin at 2 p.m.

Similar to Lancaster’s Amish Country, quilting in Berks and Chester Counties was a matter of frugality. Creating fabric was very expensive and time consuming in the 18th and 19th centuries. Quilting bees which brought together a number of women and men to quilt became not only a way to conserve and reuse fabrics, but also a source of socialization and networking.

Becky Hughes currently serves as the Museum Program Supervisor for Berks County’s Parks and Recreation Department. She is a Presidential Award winning volunteer at Hopewell Furnace and along with her mother Beth Sugar regularly demonstrates quilting at Hopewell and at other locations in Berks County.

Established in 1994, the Friends of Hopewell Furnace is the official non-profit fundraising arm of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. A 501(c)3 citizen organization, its mission is to support the preservation, maintenance and programs of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Donations to the Friends may be tax deductible according to the rules set by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information visit the Friends web site at www.friendsofhopewellfurn.org.

While at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site visitors are encouraged to go into the village, tour the buildings and learn about iron making and why Hopewell Furnace is important to our nation’s history. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday thru Sunday, the park is located five miles south of Birdsboro, PA, off of Route 345. For more information stop by the park’s visitor center, call 610-582-8773, visit the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/hofu, or contact the park by e-mail at [email protected].

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Community Testimonials

Wish my town had a channel like this, very cool idea to bring the community together and give people a platform.

James

I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity you have created for our kids.  This experience is more than the TV show.  Eight students who probably never would have talked to each other were excited to execute a plan. Know that you make a difference.

Kristi

Thanks for your commitment to communication far and wide, for your technical support, and tireless efforts to bring fresh programs to BCTV. Bravo!

Liz

Thank you for always being receptive to my ideas. All of your efforts help me to help others and that is a blessing to me.

Adrean

Fantastic work and thanks so much for the quick turnaround!  Always a pleasure to work with you and the rest of the BCTV team!

Jim

Thank you and your staff for all you do to accommodate so many different shows, personalities, etc.!  Can’t be easy, but we really do appreciate it.

Martha

I am happy and proud to be a part of such a dedicated assembly of talent and purpose. Thank you for being a part of my efforts to promote theater and the arts in this region.

David