Centre Furnace Mansion House

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Centre Furnace Mansion
Centre Furnace Mansion House Apr 12.JPG
Centre Furnace Mansion House, April 2012
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Location1001 E College Ave, State College, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 40°48′23″N77°50′33″W / 40.80639°N 77.84250°W / 40.80639; -77.84250 Coordinates: 40°48′23″N77°50′33″W / 40.80639°N 77.84250°W / 40.80639; -77.84250
Area3.5 acres (1.4 ha)
Built1830
Architectural styleLate Victorian, Georgian
NRHP reference No. 79002193 [1]
Added to NRHPDecember 27, 1979

The Centre Furnace Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the headquarters of the Centre County Historical Society, located in State College, Pennsylvania. The Mansion, the ironmaster's residence for Centre Furnace, has been restored and is furnished to reflect the period of residency of ironmaster Moses Thompson and his family, 1842–1891. A mansion in miniature, identical to the original and scaled one inch to one foot, is on permanent display. This historic mansion and nearby iron furnace stack represent the 18th century beginnings of the charcoal iron industry in the central Pennsylvania area, and the 19th century beginnings of the Pennsylvania State University. [2]

Centre Furnace site includes the Centre Furnace Mansion, furnace stack, and surrounding eight acres. This National Register site represents a small portion of the late 18th-century ironmaking village once located here. Its interpretation is based on historical documentation and archaeological research, and includes carefully landscaped grounds with walkways and period gardens. [3]

Moses Parlor in the Centre Furnace Mansion Moses Parlor.jpg
Moses Parlor in the Centre Furnace Mansion

The Mansion is home to various exhibits, programs, and fundraisers throughout the year. [4]

Mansion Tours Hours: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday, Friday by reservation. Mansion Tours are free and open to the public; though donations are welcome (suggested $4.00). A tour takes around one hour. The first two floors are handicap accessible.

The CCHS office is closed with no tours the week between Christmas and New Year's.

[5]

Mansion flowering quince 2013.jpg

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References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "Brief Penn State History - Centre County Historical Society".
  3. "Centre Furnace Mansion - Centre County Historical Society".
  4. "Calendar - Centre County Historical Society".
  5. The Centre Daily Archived January 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine