About Liberty Forge

In The Beginning...

Many ask the question, “When was the beginning of Liberty Forge?” Most are surprised by the answer. It began during the administration of President George Washington.

Farming and iron-making are not considered compatible business pursuits in the 21st Century. But there was a time in the history of Cumberland County when they were. The reason was a practical one. The iron furnace and the forge were not necessarily located near the source of the iron. The forge was of necessity located near abundant hardwoods that could be converted into charcoal for the melting and casting of what was known as “pigs.”

...In every case in Cumberland County, the furnace and forge were located on a “plantation” owned by the “iron master.” Because horsepower was used to transport the ore and the finished product to and from the forge, the raising of food for workmen and the teams of horses was in all cases essential.

From the time of President George Washington, and until late in the 19th Century, we were known as the LIBERTY FORGE FARM, near Lisburn, one of the oldest towns in the county and the oldest on the West Shore.

Lisburn was an important “stop over” after westward bound travelers crossed the Susquehanna River, traveling the old Indian Trail, now Lisburn Road, on the way to Carlisle and the unknown territories of the West.

Historical records of Cumberland County list on April 18, 1798, a “FOR SALE OR RENT” for the Liberty Forge Plantation in the then newspaper, the Oracle of Dauphin, the first newspaper of Harrisburg.

The forge changed hands many times in the next 100 years, during which time, the land changed as the hardwoods were taken down and replaced with farm land.

The Bessemer Furnace, invented in the late in the 19th century, changed dramatically the making of iron and slowly but with certainty, all the forges closed down and farming took precedence.

The original plantation house became unsound and had to be taken down, preceded by the burning of the barn some years earlier. The only reminders of such buildings are the stone wall at the current manor house made from the foundation stones of the barn. Iron tracings and refuse from the forge remain when one disturbs the ground in the area of the miniature golf course, now part of the Adventure Center on the east side of Lisburn Road.

A New Era

During the 20th Century owners began sub-dividing what remained of the plantation. The last farming of the property continued until about 1985, when a small portion was farmed on the “halves.”

About 1985, a part of this historic site was purchased by John G. Williams for a residence. There followed immediately the creation of extensive gardens and an arboretum on most of the property that was open to the public. He continued to purchase additional adjacent tracts that originally comprised the Liberty Forge Plantation, with the result that today most of the original property has been reassembled. In the early 1990’s severe drought caused a massive loss of gardens and trees. The decision was then made by the family and thereafter executed by the son of John G. Williams to develop this historic site into a public recreation center for persons of all interests and ages, with water to support the gardens and recreational facilities. The property has been designed to collect and return more than 100% of the volume of water to the Yellow Breeches. Liberty Forge is committed to the preservation of the environment and has implemented numerous sustainable programs to protect and preserve Liberty Forge so that it may be enjoyed by future generations. Kurt E. Williams, son of John Williams and several dedicated and passionate associates have created what you see today. We call such associates the “IRON MASTERS” since it took vision, courage, dedication and commitment to create the new Liberty Forge and the many and varied programs that are now available. We opened in May 2003, and opened Phase Two in April 2004. Two additional stages are anticipated to open over the next five years.

The Iron Masters are Alby Gerst, Luke Grumbine and Marci DesForges.

It is also our wish that Liberty Forge may become the major benefactor of the John G. Williams Educational Foundation. The John G. Williams Education Foundation was established in 1982 to provide financial assistance to persons requiring help to further their education.

The creation of Liberty Forge was the fulfillment of a dream, a vision. We welcome comments and ideas how we may make Liberty Forge more relevant and important to you and your family.