Adventure awaits along the banks of the Susquehanna! Join Uncharted Lancaster on Saturday, October 25, for two immersive walking tours that uncover Marietta’s iron furnaces, lumber barons, and centuries of history.
Marietta Industry History Hike with David Haneman
There has been a lot of demand for this event, so we’ve added a second tour date!
📅 Saturday, October 25, 2025
⏰ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
📍 Meet at Musselman/Vesta Iron Furnace, 26 Furnace Road, Marietta, PA 17574
Click here to reserve your spot for the October 25th Marietta Industry History Hike.
Uncharted Lancaster invites you to step back in time for a guided history hike through the industrial heart of 18th and 19th-century Marietta. Known in its day as the “Pittsburgh of the East,” this little river town thrived on lumber and iron production that fueled the American Industrial Revolution and the westward expansion of the railroad.
Leading the way is David Haneman, President of Rivertownes PA, USA and longtime Marietta resident. With his deep knowledge of the town’s heritage and hands-on work restoring the Musselman/Vesta Iron Furnace Office, Haneman will bring to life the people, places, and industries that once made Marietta a center of commerce along the Susquehanna.
What You’ll Discover
On this 1.5- to 2-hour, 1.5-mile walk along the scenic Northwest River Trail, you’ll explore:
The Lumber Industry
- Why Marietta became a lumber hub.
- Sites of the old sawmill on Chickies Creek.
- Images of the grand homes built by Marietta’s lumber barons.
The Iron Industry
- Step inside the Musselman/Vesta Iron Furnace Office, part of the last of eight “Hot-Blast” anthracite coal iron furnaces in the region.
- Learn what “pig iron” really is.
- Discover how Sanborn Insurance Maps contributed to modeling the Musselman/Vesta Furnace Complex diorama.
- View artifacts unearthed by Millersville University’s summer archaeology digs at the Henry Clay Furnace.
- Visit the sites of six furnaces once blazing along the Susquehanna River.
- Understand why this location was so crucial for canal and rail expansion.
- Glimpse images of the Iron Masters’ stately homes.
- Discover why Marietta earned the name “Pittsburgh of the East.”
Event Details
- Distance: About 1.5 miles.
- Duration: 90 minutes–2 hours (depending on Q&A).
- Terrain: Easy walking on the Northwest River Trail with an optional extension past additional furnace sites.
- Weather: Rain or shine. (Severe weather cancellations will be made on-site.)
- Parking: Limited free parking at the Musselman/Vesta Furnace (26 Furnace Road, Marietta, PA 17574). Additional free parking at the Marietta Iron Furnace Park Northwest River Trail lot (29 Furnace Road, Marietta, PA 17547).
- Capacity: Limited to 20 participants.
- Cost: $20 per person.
Reserve Your Spot
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Marietta’s industrial past through the eyes of one of its most passionate stewards. Space is limited—and tickets will go fast!
Click here to reserve your spot for the October 25th Marietta Industry History Hike.
October 25: Marietta History Hike with Jeffrey Hudson
Demand for this event has been incredible, so we’ve added a fourth tour date!
📅 Saturday, October 25, 2025
⏰ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
📍 Meet at Marietta Borough Municipal Office, 111 East Market Street, Marietta, PA
👉 Click here to reserve your spot for the October 25th Marietta History Hike
Uncharted Lancaster invites you to lace up your walking shoes and uncover the fascinating stories of one of Lancaster County’s most historic river towns.
Join retired history teacher and longtime Marietta resident Jeffrey Hudson for a 2-mile guided history hike through the charming streets and alleys of Marietta. Over the course of 90 minutes to two hours, Hudson will bring Marietta’s past to life with tales that connect local landmarks to national history.
What You’ll Discover
On this engaging walk, you’ll explore:
- The true origins of Marietta’s name and the town’s earliest days.
- How Marietta thrived as both a river and railroad town.
- The borough’s Civil War connections and even a presidential visit.
- Stories from the Underground Railroad that once ran through these very streets.
- The oldest continuously operating tavern in Lancaster County.
- A rare chance to step inside the 1848 Old Town Hall and explore its museum, courtesy of the Marietta Restoration Association.
- Curious local characters, including surprising links to early vaccine development in America.
Hudson’s deep knowledge and storytelling style promise to make history not only educational but unforgettable. As a former social studies teacher at Lampeter-Strasburg High School, Vice President of Marietta Borough Council, LNP columnist, and co-producer of the podcast History, Politics and Beer, Hudson knows how to blend facts, fun, and perspective into a lively walking tour.
Event Details
- Distance: About 2 miles round trip.
- Duration: 90 minutes–2 hours (depending on Q&A).
- Terrain: Sidewalks with multiple street crossings, plus some of Marietta’s hilly side streets and alleys.
- Includes exclusive first-floor access to Marietta’s 1848 Old Town Hall.
- Weather: Rain or shine. (Severe weather cancellations will be made on-site.)
- Parking: Free on East Market Street and Front Street.
- Capacity: Limited to 20 participants.
- Cost: $20 per person.
Reserve Your Spot
Don’t miss this opportunity to see Marietta through the eyes of one of its greatest storytellers. Space is limited—and tickets will go fast!
👉 Click here to reserve your spot for the October 25th Marietta History Hike
Step into history. Explore the industries. Experience Marietta like never before.
Adventure Awaits!
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