The daytripper: A short drive away to escape to the past

By Paul W. Ross
Special to the Coastal Point

	Coastal Point • PAUL W. ROSS The area surrounding the iron furnace has maintained much of its natural beauty.

The Nassawango Iron Furnace was erected in 1830 by the Maryland Iron Company to smelt iron from the bog ore found nearby. It operated only until 1849, ending in bankruptcy. It was reported to be falling to pieces by 1859. The most significant fact about the furnace is that it made use of hot blast techniques only a few years after the idea was developed in England.

In a blast furnace, heating air through a heat exchanger before it enters the air nozzles, where it is forced into the furnace. This accelerates the combustion process. The hotter furnace temperatures decrease the amount of charcoal fuel needed to reduce iron ore. By improving the production method by an air blast, not only was the amount of expensive charcoal reduced, but also the product was of higher quality. The charcoal was produced from local timber.

Furnaces like these were the focal points of a pre-Industrial Revolution industry town. This is one of hundreds of furnaces that thrived and failed during the 19th century. The furnace property was eventually donated in 1962 to the Worcester County Historical Society. The restoration of the furnace and its buildings has continued since 1982 by the Furnace Town Foundation, which owns and operates the museum site.

The Furnace Town site is an excellent example of what has popularly become known as “living history.” The museum contains facilities for various crafts, run by knowledgeable interpreters. Craftsmen demonstrate their skills in woodworking, broom making, printing, and weaving. There are more than a dozen restored buildings at the site. You can get a very good idea of village life during this era, which is quite different than our modern, highly technological society.

During the summer, the museum sponsors a variety of activities, including a Celtic festival, workshop weekends, and a heritage camp for children ages 8 through 11. There is even an archeological dig for the truly devoted! It is wise to call ahead at (410) 632-2032 for details of specific programs. Some programs require pre-registration and payment. Their Web site is www.furnacetown.com, which gives you up-to-date information.

A trip to the Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum is well worth your time. If you have a little extra time, there is the Paul Liefer Nature Trail. This winds along the Nassawango Cypress Swamp. Walking the entire trail will take you about an hour. A shorter part is available that takes around a half hour, and gives a taste of the cypress swamp with no boardwalks.

Bring along your binoculars again, as it teems with bird life!

How do we get there?

This trip involves a delightful drive through rural Delaware. As usual, begin in Bethany Beach by the totem pole. Proceed west on Route 26 to Clarksville. At Clarksville, turn south on Route 17 toward Selbyville. Selbyville’s initial claim to fame was strawberries. It is now renown for its chicken growing.

When you get to Selbyville, turn west on Route 54, following it through town to Route 113. Turn south on Route 113. Just keep going south on 113, turning right onto Business 113, which brings you to Snow Hill. At Snow Hill, turn right at the traffic light and go northwest on Route 12. Watch for the signs to Furnace Town, on the left at Furnace Town Road, after about five miles.

The distance to Furnace Town is about 40 miles, and takes around an hour and 15 minutes. If you want to call ahead for details on programs in progress at various times during the years, call (410) 632-2032.

On the way back, if you want to vary your route, pick up Route 50 north of Berlin. Proceed east to Ocean City, and connect with Route 1, which will take you back north to Bethany Beach.