From The Archives

Overview

This is the site of the first integrated ironworks in North America, 1646-1668. It includes the reconstructed blast furnace, forge, rolling mill, and a restored seventeenth century house.
With the archeological site of the seventeenth-century iron making plant, the museum collection, the seventeenth century Iron Works House, and the reconstructed iron works complex, Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site illustrates the critical role of iron making to seventeenth-century settlement and its legacy in shaping the early history of the nation. The site's enclave setting on the Saugus River, featuring an open-air museum with working waterwheels, evokes a unique experience for park visitors. These resources demonstrate seventeenth-century engineering and design methods, iron-making technology and operations, local and overseas trade, and life and work in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The original manufacturing site served as a training ground for skilled iron workers for what would become America's iron and steel industry. Iron making provided the infrastructure for the rise of other colonial industries. Called, "the forerunner of America's industrial giants," the site served as a center for technology, innovation and invention. The site interprets early industrial manufacturing, with its enduring social, political and environmental ramifications.

http://www.nationalparks.com/saugus_iron_works_national_historic_site.htm

Getting There

Plane - Boston's Logan Airport is about 9 miles south of Saugus. Take route 1A North to Route 60 West to Route 1 North. Take the Main Street, Saugus, exit, and follow NPS signs through Saugus Center to the site.

Car - From Interstate 95 northbound or southbound take the Walnut Street exit, number 43. Drive east towards Lynn and follow the brown National Park Service signs for 3.5 miles to the Iron Works.

From Route 1 northbound take Main Street Saugus exit and follow the National Park Service signs east through Saugus Center to the Iron Works.

From Route 1 southbound take the Walnut Street exit (East) and follow the National Park Service signs 1.5 miles to the Iron Works.


Public Transportation - Public bus service (#430) runs daily except Sundays from the Malden subway station (Orange Line).