The machine shop formerly housed all the tools necessary to keep the complex running smoothly. Today, as a part of the state park it contains many displays about everyday operations of the furnace complex. The depression in the foreground is the site of the carpenter's shop.
| This is the original '99 photo from this page. I was going to remove it entirely but decided it was good to have a focus on the front of the building. I find it interesting that the construction of the building is partially brick, partially limestone and not really in a symetrical way. |
|
|
My guess is this would have been the forge inside of the machine shop as the hearth is raised above the floor. Another reason I would guess this is more than just a fireplace is that many of the company buildings had cast iron stoves for heating. It's not that big though. And I would guess that is because it was not used for a lot of metal working. Any serious forge work would most likely be done in the blacksmith shop next door. |
| This is the steam engine which powered tools within the machine shop. Power was transmitted via a belt around the flywheel to power shafts in the rafters. The shafts then fed belts of the machines. |
|