About Us
The Friends of Hopewell Furnace is a citizens non-profit organization whose mission is to support the preservation, maintenance and activities of the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (NHS).
The Friends Group is a private, non-profit membership organization and tax exempt corporation as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, incorporated and doing business under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The mission of the Friends Group is to support the operation, preservation and interpretation of the resources of the Park. The Friends Group was established in 1994 and incorporated in 1996. Annually the Friends Group has assisted the National Park Service in carrying out the goals of the Park to protect and preserve the landscape known as Hopewell and to provide for its enjoyment by this and future generations through supporting special events, maintaining the gardens, the collections, the library, the costumes, educational activities and interpretation.
The Friends is governed by a volunteer board. The Friends operates in partnership with the NPS under an 2013 agreement a Constitution and Formal Bylaws. The Friends and the NPS develop an Annual Workplan describing our support activities and summarize our actions annually in an Annual Report. See the Bylaws and Reports page for links to these documents.
Activities includea monthly presentations on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 2 pm as well as special projects as requested by the Park Officials. After the monthly presentations a Board Meeting is held. All are invited to attend the board meeting.
The Friends Group is a private, non-profit membership organization and tax exempt corporation as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, incorporated and doing business under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The mission of the Friends Group is to support the operation, preservation and interpretation of the resources of the Park. The Friends Group was established in 1994 and incorporated in 1996. Annually the Friends Group has assisted the National Park Service in carrying out the goals of the Park to protect and preserve the landscape known as Hopewell and to provide for its enjoyment by this and future generations through supporting special events, maintaining the gardens, the collections, the library, the costumes, educational activities and interpretation.
The Friends is governed by a volunteer board. The Friends operates in partnership with the NPS under an 2013 agreement a Constitution and Formal Bylaws. The Friends and the NPS develop an Annual Workplan describing our support activities and summarize our actions annually in an Annual Report. See the Bylaws and Reports page for links to these documents.
Activities includea monthly presentations on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 2 pm as well as special projects as requested by the Park Officials. After the monthly presentations a Board Meeting is held. All are invited to attend the board meeting.
Friends Presidents |
Tenure |
Jim McClelland |
2016- present |
Gene Delaplane |
2014-2015 |
Jim Thorne |
2012-2013 |
Beth Shugar |
2011 |
Terry Stauffer |
2006-2010 |
Bill Deegan |
2005 |
Fred Hessler |
2001-2004 |
Barbara Smitley |
2000 |
Florence Williams |
1997-1999 |
Edmund Doherty |
1994-1996 |
Edmond Doherty was the founding president of Friends of Hopewell Furnace (FOHF) in 1994. He and his wife, Frances, met with a group of people who had seen an article in the Reading Eagle that a meeting would be held to form a Friends group. During Edmond’s term, as president, the Friends sponsored a spring cleanup; researched, wrote and reenacted a 1830s wedding; started work with the herb garden; sponsored a series of lectures; and became incorporated as a non-profit corporation. A constitution for the Friends was finalized in December 1996; an agreement with the NPS was executed in May of 2013 and a set of bylaws was first enacted in December of 2015. These documents have served the Friends in guiding our activities.
The Friends have benefitted from a series of active and committed officers and directors over our history. A list of presidents and their tenures is presented below.
The Friends have benefitted from a series of active and committed officers and directors over our history. A list of presidents and their tenures is presented below.
Founding of the Friends of Hopewell Furnace
The Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Version 3 Uploaded 2023 Nov 3 Appearance Improvments