By Michelle Bowers
Event Celebrates Pennsylvania Handcrafted Art From a Variety of Local Artisans
The non-profit Friends of the Robesonia Furnace (www.robesoniafurnace.org) will hold their 3rd Annual Summer Show and Sale at the restored Robesonia Furnace Fire Engine House. Admission is FREE and with 15 artisans, music and food, there is something for everyone. It will be held on Sat., Aug. 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun., Aug 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Organizer Abby Wertz ([email protected]) said the event will showcase the skills of several Friends’ artisans featuring Robesonia Redware who will be releasing their newest glaze colors and designs for their amazing handmade Redware pottery items produced by potters Scott Madeira, Thilo “T.J.” Schmitz and Curt Pearson, former employees and business managers of Breininger Pottery. There will also be hand forged iron works by Artist/Blacksmith Allen Schaeffer of Furnace Creek Forge; tinware by Ken and Carolyn Handwerk of Handwerk Tin; hooked rugs and wovens created by Janice Sonnen, pressed flower petal pictures by Judy Boyer of Judy’s Pressed Garden and reproduction, scale-sized log cabins by Terry Boyer of the 1860 Wood Company along with many other amazing artisans such as Missy Steigerwalt’s Silverwearable Jewelry, Brenda’s Crafts, Buckshot Games, Strawser Folk Paintings and more!
Wertz said that the show will include a special food tent, music, other vendors and a Chinese Auction on both days that features work by the artists participating. The Friends furnace museum located in the lower level in The Fire Engine House will be open and there will also be walking tours of the Robesonia Furnace Historical sites. The Fire Engine House is located at 430 S. Freeman Street near its intersection with Furnace Street in Robesonia, PA.
The Robesonia Furnace Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. It is in the southern section of Robesonia borough, along the banks of Furnace Creek, but no original buildings remain. The district is a good example of the early establishment of the iron industry in eastern Pennsylvania. The first furnace on the site of Robesonia was established in 1794, and the iron industry persisted there into the 20th century.
The Friends of the Robesonia Furnace was established in 1988 to preserve and disseminate information about the Robesonia area, with an emphasis on the furnace. The Friends attempts to emphasize the role that the local iron industry played in the growth of the area and encourage the preservation of the Furnace ruins.
The Friends of the Robesonia Furnace Inc. is funded through yearly dues from members, fund-raising projects such as the artisan shows, and generous donations.
For more details on the Aug. 23rd and 24th event and for other information, visit the website www.RobesoniaRedware.com, visit the Robesonia Redware Facebook page, contact Abby Wertz at [email protected] or contact Michelle Bowers at [email protected] .This is a community event you do not want to miss!

