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“An Iron Will” Festival To Commemorate 200th Anniversary Of The Newlee Iron Furnace

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Published Date

October 14, 2019

Drawing of the Cumberland Gap iron furnace/NPS

When visitors attend Cumberland Gap National Historical Park’s “An Iron Will” festival this coming weekend, they will step back in time and be able to immerse themselves in another fascinating chapter of the area’s rich history. Two hundred years ago in 1819 an iron furnace was built below what is known as Gap Cave, utilizing for its operation the stream from the cave.

This new park event, being held in the town of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, is a “jubilant celebration welding together the park, the town, area residents, and visitors with history, discovery, and fun,” said Cumberland Gap Superintendent Charles Stellars. During this same weekend, the town will also be hosting its annual ‘Geneology Jamboree and Pioneer Days.’

The family-friendly free event includes a live modern iron pour by staff from Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark in Birmingham, Alabama; a charcoal making demonstration; cast iron pattern making; 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. performances by historical re-enactor Elizabeth Lawson, who portrays an enslaved African American in a world of iron and Civil War; and the opportunity to meet iron furnace owner “John Newlee” and “Dr. Morrison,” physician for the workers of the iron furnace.

Youth will be able to engage in a scavenger hunt and help Skillet the Pig find the truth about pig iron; youth will be rewarded with an iron piglet upon successful completion of the scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt workbook can be picked up at Welcome Tables located at either end of Colwyn Avenue, the main street in Cumberland Gap. For a small fee, visitors will be able to make their own iron creation.

On his historic journey in 1750 through the now famed mountain pass, Dr. Thomas Walker made note of a spring coming from a cave. In his journal, he noted that, “The spring is sufficient to turn a mill.”

Sixty-nine years after Dr. Walker penned his entry, the blast furnace was built. Large, sandstone blocks were used from nearby, and fire brick was used to line the inside of the furnace, which was used to smelt iron.

Iron ore was mined nearby, limestone was added in the process, and firewood was made into charcoal for use as fuel. Water from the cave stream powered large bellows and a massive hammer mill.

Each day 625 bushels of charcoal (approximately 52 trees), 6 ¼ tons of iron ore, and 1,563 pounds of limestone were used to produce approximately 3 tons of iron. Iron was sold to local blacksmiths and also shipped in the form of ingots or “pigs” down the Powell River to Chattanooga.

If you go…

WHAT:

“An Iron Will”

WHEN:

Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE:

Historic town of Cumberland Gap, TN; exit into the town from Hwy 58 in VA

COST:

Free admission

CONTACT:

For more information, call Cumberland Gap National Historical Park at 606-248-2817 or www.nps.gov/cuga

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Comments

Submitted by Doug Newlee on December 22, 2021 - 4:17pm.

My cousin, Patrick Newlee-Ivett, and I attended the 200 year anniversary/celebration of the Newlee Iron Furnace. Patrick and his friend, Scott and i stayed the weekend at the famous "Old Mill Inn Bed & Breakfast" there in Cumberland Gap. BTW, John Glen Newlee (who ran the furnace for a number of years during the mid 1800's) was our 3rd great uncle. It was an amazing weekend to celebrate with area residents and other visitors. We even got to meet our 3rd great uncle (provided by the CG National Historical Park employees). We even found his and his family's tombstones at the Old Irish Cemetery in nearby Tazewell. We look forward to visiting again someime in the near future. Maybe in October 2022. Thanks again for a wonderful experience in Cumberland Gap, TN.


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