Each year, Christmas at Joanna highlights a particular year when the furnace was in operation. Visitors to the 2024 event will learn more about the site's Victorian holiday celebration of 1874, including its traditions and decor, and will experience music and period dancing. Also featured throughout the weekend will be a menu of food items, a live Nativity, a Christmas craft market and holiday music.

The 24th annual Christmas at Joanna event will be presented by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA) at Historic Joanna Furnace, 1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown, on Friday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8, from 4 to 9 p.m.

The entire Joanna Furnace site will be transformed for the occasion, inviting visitors to experience a 19th-century holiday. The Joanna Furnace mule stable will be transformed into the parlor of the Victorian mansion of ironmaster L. Heber Smith and his wife, Ella Jane Grubb Smith. The home will be lit with candles and include a freshly cut Christmas tree.

Smith family re-enactors will be busy in the kitchen making cookies and holiday treats, while others will be in the decorated parlor playing games and reminiscing about past Christmases by the fireplace. Guests are invited to interact with family members to learn more about the family and life in the iron furnace community. 

"Christmas 1874 was a grand time for the Smiths and the residents of the Joanna Furnace community," said HCVHA executive director Mark Zerr. "Joanna Furnace was in its heyday during this time. They employed over 200 people at the furnace itself."

Outside the community, the United States was in the post-Civil War era. "We are doing 1874 this year. It's election year, and Republican President Ulysses S. Grant just won his second term," noted Zerr. "It's post-Civil War, and our country is in the reconstruction phase. Things were starting to boom leading up to the Industrial Age."

The site's historic buildings will be open throughout the event. "We will have demonstrations in our casting house and a live blacksmithing demonstration," Zerr pointed out. "Our office store will be open to purchase unique items, including our aluminum-cast star, which is made right here at Joanna Furnace."

The site will be illuminated by more than 1,000 luminarias, which will light the furnace walkways. "Boy Scout Troop 543 of Plowville organizes, sets up and lights up the luminarias," Zerr stated, adding that each building will be illuminated inside by lamps or candles to re-create an 1870s atmosphere.

Local musicians will perform on an outside stage in front of a large bonfire. The Belsnickel, a fur-clad Christmas figure who rewards well-behaved children, will make an appearance at the bonfire to visit with children and give out treats.

The bonfire and placement of luminarias will take place if the local burn ban has been lifted.

Victorian dancing will also take place at the event in a large, heated tent. The Hay Creek Valley Gold Band will perform various old-time music while the Hay Creek Dancers will entertain visitors with period dances. Guests will also be invited to step onto the dance floor and participate.

Homemade foods will be available, including sausage sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, a pork barbecue macaroni bowl, soups, chili, homemade "Furnace" fries, hot chocolate, hot mulled cider and coffee. Freshly made kettle corn and roasted nuts will also be available to purchase.

The Christmas Craft Market will offer holiday gifts and home decorating items. "We have about 35 craft vendors selling their wares in an outside market and two heated tents," said Zerr.

Also featured will be traditional wagon rides; a Kids' Santa Craft Workshop, where children can make a holiday craft or have their face painted inside a heated tent; and a Christmas light maze, which is located on the mansion grounds. A vintage train display will be in operation in the mechanical technology building.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to win gift baskets with certificates donated by area businesses and vendors at the Christmas market.

An admission fee will be charged for adults. Children age 12 and under will be admitted free. There will be free on-site parking. All proceeds will benefit the HCVHA, which supports the restoration and preservation of Historic Joanna Furnace, as well as the Tri-County Heritage Library.

For additional information, visit www.haycreek.org or www.facebook.com/historicjoannafurnace or call 610-286-0388.