Pine Forge Mansion and Industrial Site, building in Pennsylvania, United States
The Pine Forge Mansion and Industrial Site is a historic property in Douglass Township featuring stone buildings constructed around 1730 and expanded in 1800 and 1918. The complex includes a main mansion, outbuildings such as a root cellar and smokehouse, ruins of a mill with its water race, and a dam that powered the operation.
The forge was founded in 1715 by Thomas Rutter as one of Pennsylvania's earliest iron works and grew into a significant iron plantation. Successive expansions to the mansion and surrounding buildings reflected the industrial growth and changing needs of the operation over nearly 200 years.
Thomas Rutter's estate reflected the household of a family that opposed slavery and shaped early iron-making in the region. The stone buildings and layout show how living and working spaces were closely connected in this industrial community.
The site spans about 24 acres with multiple stone buildings and ruins that visitors can explore on foot. Plan for enough time to walk around the grounds, as the layout spreads the buildings and features across the property.
The site served as a stop along the Underground Railroad, offering shelter to those seeking freedom from slavery, which remains one of its lesser-known historical roles. This connection to the freedom movement adds a layer of significance beyond its industrial reputation.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
