History Of The Ironmasters Hostel 

During the time prior to and after the American Revolution, a huge percentage of the young nation's iron was made in Pennsylvania.  In 1764, partners George Stevenson, Robert Thornburgh and John Arthur built an iron furnace along Mountain Creek. They named it Pine Grove Iron Works. It manufactured iron plate stoves, fireplace backs, iron kettles and possibly munitions during the American Revolution.  Later, it was purchased by MIchael Ege, who was succeeded by his son Peter.  Peter built the Mansion for his wife, Jane Arthur Ege, in 1829.  Peter enjoyed the longest tenure of any ironmaster.  The Iron Works ceased production in 1895.

In more recent years the Ironmaster’s Mansion has served as a hostel and prominent halfway rest stop for Appalachian Trail hikers. The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy renovated the Mansion and reopened it in April 2011 for use as a hostel, meeting space and community resource for education, training and events.  The Appalachian Trail Museum took over operation of the hostel in 2020.

For more of the history of the Mansion and the Iron Works, visit THIS SITE. HERE is an article on the history of the Mansion by the Carlisle Sentinel.

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