The Dowlin Forge
COATESVILLE — Noted Chester County storyteller and author Susannah Brody will present “The History of Dowlin Forge” on Thursday, November 3 between 6 and 8 p.m. at The National Iron & Steel Museum, 50 S. 1st Avenue, Coatesville.
Brody, who has done extensive research and authored books about both Dowlin Forge and Rebecca Lukens, will discuss the business relationships between three generations of the Dowlin family and Isaac Pennock, Rebecca and Dr. Charles Lukens, and Rebecca’s sons-in-law, Abram Gibbons and Dr. Charles Huston.
Dowlin Forge, which was located in Uwchlan Township, along the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek, was a finery forge – an important middle step in the early iron industry. Established in 1785 as the Mary Ann Forge, it began making bar iron for blacksmiths. Purchased by John Dowlin in 1801, much of the forge’s work by the 1820’s was processing pig iron into plate iron for rolling into boiler plate. The lecture is being presented in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibit, “Pennsylvania Iron & Steel: 300 Years of Industrial Might.” In its collection, the museum has several items on display from the Dowlin Forge.
Brody, a retired teacher, has a Master of Arts degree in oral traditions from the Graduate Institute of Connecticut and is a member of Patchwork, a storytelling guild, and the National Storytelling Network. She is well known for her living history presentations, especially in the local area for her portrayals of Rebecca Lukens, founding mother of Lukens Steel Company. Brody uses words taken directly from diaries and letters and puts life into her storytelling.
In addition to “The History of Dowlin Forge,” Brody’s publications include: “Uwchlan Township: 300 Years Above the Valley”, “Remembering Chester County: Stories from Valley Forge to Coatesville”, and a three volume set of Chester County Biographies.
Refreshments will be served, courtesy of Wegmans. This event is free to members. Non-members may pay $5 at the door.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum draws international crowds to its facility, which educates the public on the people, places, products and processes of steel making, as well as the importance of educating children in the STEAM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).
For event information and reservations, please contact The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum at 610-384-9282 or visit http://www.steelmuseum.org
The museum is located within the campus of the Lukens National Historic District, 50 South 1st Avenue, Coatesville, PA.
For more information on this lecture, please contact the National Iron & Steel Museum at 610.384.9282 or visit www.steelmuseum.org
