• Saugus Iron Works Panorama

    Saugus Iron Works

    National Historic Site Massachusetts

Many Cultures

In a land founded on beliefs of social and religious unity, the Saugus Iron Works represented what would become one of the greatest features of our country; diversity. Work at the iron works brought together people of all skill levels, ages, backgrounds, classes, and ethnicities striving toward a common goal.

There are many stories that can be told through the workers who spent years laboring in the intense heat of the forge, or endlessly cutting trees for charcoal. There are stories that can be told of the townspeople who were forced to accept outsiders into their tight religious community. And still, there are stories of the Native Americans who welcomed iron into their culture, changing their way of life forever.

Can you find information on all these people? Complete one of the following activities to earn your badge!

People of the Iron Works - Describe the people
Hornbook - How did you learn to read?

Did You Know?