Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site | |
![]() Reconstructed forge and mill | |
Location | 244 Central Street, Saugus, Massachusetts |
---|---|
Coordinates | 42°28′7″N 71°0′32″W / 42.46861°N 71.00889°W |
Area | 9 acres (0.04 km²) |
Architect | Perry, Shaw & Hepburn, Kehoe & Dean |
Visitation | 11,153 (2006) |
Website | Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site |
NRHP reference No. | 66000047[1] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Designated NHLD | November 27, 1963 |
Designated NHS | April 5, 1968 |
Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site is a National Historic Site about 10 miles (16 kilometers) northeast of Downtown Boston in Saugus, Massachusetts. It is the site of the first integrated ironworks in North America, founded by John Winthrop the Younger and in operation between 1646 and approximately 1670. It includes the reconstructed blast furnace, forge, rolling mill, shear, slitter and a quarter-ton trip hammer.
The facility is powered by seven large waterwheels, some of which are rigged to work in tandem with huge wooden gears connecting them. It has a wharf to load the iron onto ocean-going vessels, as well as a large, restored 17th-century house.