Agriculture, the availability of iron ore, the smelting of pig iron, the art of casting metal, and the ingenuity and genius of a handful of unique, talented individuals had much to do with the formation and growth of the area’s metalworking industry.

The first iron-producing furnace in Franklin County was built in 1783 near Mount Pleasant in Path Valley. The Mont Alto Furnace, started in 1807, was the closest to Waynesboro.

Along came men like George Frick, Peter Geiser, John Metcalfe, and Abe and Frank Landis in the mid-to-late eighteen hundreds. Relying heavily on cast parts, they took paper and pencil in hand to design, make, and remake part and products until they had it right. No computers, numerical controlled machines or specialized skilled staffs— just determination, self-confidence, and the sweat of their brow.

The efforts of these individuals resulted in companies like Frick, Geiser, Landis Tool, and Landis Machine, all of whom became world renown selling world class products long before the term “world class” was coined. The Geiser company is no longer in existence, but Frick—York International, Landis Gardner—An Allegheny Technologies company are still active organizations. Local industry wealth is further enhanced by Beck Manufacturing, maker of pipe nipples and couplings, and Grove International, the world’s largest manufacturer of mobile cranes and lifts. There were, of course, others who started business, some of which flourished, and others that fell by the wayside.

From this relatively small area came threshing machines, pipe nipples, and couplings, steam and gasoline engines, tire chains, grinding machines, phonographs, threading machines and tools, mobile truck cranes, ornamental iron fencing, even the early beginnings of an auto.

As reflected in the organization’s mission statement, the museum is not only committed to preserving the area’s history, but also to recognizing present industrial accomplishments while keeping an eye on the future.

Waynesboro Industrial Museum Preparing to Launch 2012 Exhibit

The research is done. The pictures have been scanned, and the information has been typed up. Now, volunteers at the Waynesboro Industrial Museum are ready to share their wealth of knowledge with members of the community.

The museum’s 2012 exhibit, “Furnaces and Forges: The Legacy of Our Area’s Iron Industry,” will be open to the public for the first time on Saturday, May 26 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. This year’s focus is on the important role iron furnaces played in shaping the history of Franklin County, as well as other parts of America.

Visitors to the exhibit will have the opportunity to learn about topics such as the Mont Alto Iron Works, The Iron Act of 1750 and the influence of Colonel George B. Wiestling. A series of display panels will depict what life was like for workers in the 18th and 19th centuries, as they used horse power, water power and steam power to convert raw materials into iron.

Information will also be provided on the Mont Alto and Cumberland Valley Railroads, as well as the legacy left by the Mont Alto Furnace, which includes state forests, state parks and Penn State’s campus in the small Franklin County town.

“After several months of hard work and dedication, we’re really excited to unveil our new exhibit to members of the Waynesboro community and others in the surrounding areas,” says Pat Fleagle, President of Waynesboro Area Industrial Heritage Trust. “There’s a lot to learn and appreciate when it comes to the early days of iron making. We look forward to sharing that with anyone who visits the museum this year.”

To coincide with the launch of the new exhibit, Franklin County Historian, Stan Haas, will speak about the iron industry and other related topics at the museum on Tuesday, June 19. His presentation, entitled “In Search of Mont Alto Furnace,” will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Volunteers who have worked to ensure this new exhibit will be a success include Frank Bittner, George Buckey, Jon Fleagle, Haas, Bill Helfrick, Ed Ingels, George Kirk and Lanny McCleaf.

In addition to the grand opening of the exhibit on May 26, the museum is also scheduled to welcome visitors on several dates throughout the end of October. These include Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day), Wednesday, July 4 (Independence Day) and Monday, September 3 (Labor Day).

For a full listing of dates when “Furnaces and Forges: The Legacy of Our Area’s Iron Industry” will be open to the public, please visit the “2012 Exhibit Info” section of this web site.

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Trio of Trolley Enthusiasts Entertain Guests with Presentation on the Waynesboro Trolley System

In conjunction with their current museum display, “Our Waynesboro Transportation Heritage,” members of the Waynesboro Area Industrial Heritage Trust recently sponsored a presentation about the town’s trolley system, which operated during the first 32 years of the 20^th century. 

David McCarney, Ed Miller and Gordon Heidelbach presented “Do you Remember Riding the Trolley Through Town?” at the Waynesboro Industrial Museum on Tuesday, January 10.  The three men have examined engineering maps and researched the route of the Chambersburg, Greencastle and Waynesboro Street Railway System, a popular method of transportation from 1900-1932.  Their presentation took attendees on a trip back in time, teaching them about the role the trolleys played in forming the history of Franklin County.

Waynesboro Teacher Visits the Museum to Speak on the “Pre-Explosion of Industry” in Local Area

The Waynesboro Industrial Museum was packed with visitors on Tuesday, October 11 when the Waynesboro Historical Society and the Waynesboro Industrial Heritage Trust co-sponsored a presentation by Darwin G. Seiler on the “Pre-Explosion of Industry in the Waynesboro Area.” Seiler addressed reasons for the emergence of industry in our area, specifically during the period of 1850 to 1865. He also spoke to the events that “set the stage,” enabling such industrial pioneers as Frick, Geiser and Landis to “hit the road running.”

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During the evening, Jared Wagaman, one of Seiler’s former students, unveiled his “Senior Project,” a model depicting the “Industrial History of Waynesboro” from 1900-1945.  Wagaman was awarded an “A” for the project, which showed the geographical location of the Frick, Geiser, Landis Tool and Landis Machine Companies and also included an historical industry narrative.  The 20-year-old graduated from Waynesboro Area Senior High School in 2011.