Local students in grades six through 12 are invited to participate in an Independence Day writing challenge that is being sponsored by Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in collaboration with the Friends of Hopewell Furnace. Winning essays will be read during the park's Independence Day program on Thursday, July 4.

The contest is open to students who attend schools in the counties surrounding the historic site - Chester, Montgomery and Berks counties. Locally eligible students include those who reside in the Coatesville, Daniel Boone, Owen J. Roberts and Twin Valley school districts. Homeschooled students in those districts are also welcome to participate.

As part of the contest, students in grades nine through 12 are asked to submit an essay of 500 words or fewer, and students in grades six through eight may submit an essay of 300 words or fewer. This year's topic is "What Does the Word Liberty Mean to You?"

According to Jeff Jones, site manager, the topic of the contest each year is based on the Declaration of Independence. In 2022, the topic was "What Does the Declaration of Independence Mean to You?" Last year's topic was "What Does the Phrase 'Created Equal' Mean to You?"

Essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges from the community. The top three students from each group will receive cash awards of $125 for first place, $100 for second place and $75 for third place, all of which are increased amounts from last year. The top three winners from each group will read their essays on July 4 during a ceremony set for 2 p.m. at the Ironmaster's Mansion. Last year, winning students who could not be at the program had their essays read by representatives, who included the site's park rangers.

The 2023 event also featured patriotic music and the recitation of the Declaration of Independence, which audience members volunteered to read line by line.

Essays may be submitted by mail to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, c/o Independence Day, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520; emailed to HOFU_Superintendent@nps.gov or hand-delivered to the park visitor center on Wednesdays through Sundays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

In addition to the essay, each entry should include the student's name, grade, name of the school or school district were the student lives or attends, a name of parent or guide and their email address and a telephone number.

Submissions are due by Tuesday, April 30. Complete details are available by visiting www.nps.gov/hofu and scrolling down to "Independence Day Writing Challenge." The website also includes the winning essays from 2023. Student winners were from throughout Berks and Chester counties, including Owen J. Roberts High School, Daniel Boone Area High School and schools within the Downingtown Area School District.

Hopewell Furnace, established as a National Historic Site on Aug. 3, 1938, preserves the late 18th- and early 19th-century setting of an iron-making community, including the charcoal-fueled furnace. The furnace was established in 1771 by ironmaster Mark Bird and operated as a furnace for the next 112 years.

The park's facilities are currently open on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Hopewell Furnace is located off Route 345, about 5 miles south of Birdsboro. Admission to the park is free. For more information, call 610-582-8773 or visit the park's website.