Welcome...

The Franconia Heritage Museum is located in an 1880 New England Farm House with attached barn and sheds.

Take a walk through the Farm House and see the Franconia Iron Works stove in the parlor, the rope bed in the bedroom, antique kitchenware in the summer kitchen and farm tools and sleigh in the barn and sheds. These treasures, historical documents and photographs are from various local families.

We are open from Memorial Day to Halloween on Fridays and Saturdays from 1-4pm.  All other times by request.

From Interstate 93, take Exit 38 to Main Street (Rt. 18). Turn left. The museum is about a third of a mile on the left. Look for signs.

Donations Accepted 

The Only Blast Furnace Still Standing in New Hampshire

The octagonal stone stack that is visible on the far bank of the Gale River is all that remains of a 200-year-old iron smelter shown on an 1805 map of Franconia. The New Hampshire Iron Factory Company rebuilt the original furnace several times, adding hot blast after 1840 and extending the height to its present 32 feet.

Chiseled into one of the heavy stones in the west arch opening is "S. Pettee, Jr. 1859". Pettee was a well-known iron master who was associated with several blast furnaces in New England. He was the last known foreman to operate this furnace.

The furnace was built of local granite. Its interior is lined with firebrick, laid in a cylindrical shape. The space between the firebrick and stone exterior is filled with clay.

Farmers burned trees to make charcoal to fire the furnace. Iron production declined by 1865 as the ore and trees diminished and as iron production in Pennsyvania progressed at less cost. The furnace was abandoned with a belly full of once-molten iron. The furnace had been inactive for twenty years when, in 1884, the shed that surrounded it burned to the ground.

Visitors can see a scale model of the furnace and the shed that enclosed it.

Also on display at the Interpretive Center are an ore cart, stove, kettles and tools, as well as panels explaining the process. The Franconia Heritage Museum offers additional displays of iron and books on the subject.

NOTE: Viewable anytime from the Picnic Area.  The stone stack, itself, is on private property across the Gale River.  Trespassing is prohibited due to the danger of falling stones.

From I-93, take exit 38 to Main St. (Rt.18).  Turn right.  The Interpretive Center and furnace are abouthalf a mile on the left.