Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Saugus

We were the only ones there in November and it looked like the inside was closed for the season, but it’s still a beautiful building and there’s some info you can read about the history of iron on the outside of the building.

The house is very cool and big. Similar to the Salem witch house but larger. I went in the off season so I just walked the grounds. But I was saddened to see so much rot on this historical structure. Lots of failing paint and carpenter bee damage. Someone needs to tell the NPS about historically appropriate and far superior linseed oil paint for these structures.

Very neat

Fascinating site. Local Rangers were friendly and knowlegable.

Fun to look at old history. We went when they were closed but you can still walk around outside and see all of the buildings.

Saugus is surprisingly fun and educational. You’ll learn more about iron making in colonial America than you ever thought you wanted to know.

Super disappointing. We arrived after traveling across the country only to find the park “open” but actually all the buildings were locked tight and nothing to see. There were multiple signs stating that the park and All the buildings should have been open but again all are padlocked shut. They don’t even answer the phone

Happened to be in the neighborhood for something entirely different when we discovered this spot- the restoration work being done is absolutely beautiful! Even in this drought year, theres still a ton of wildlife too.

Such a little gem in the middle of Saugus. Neat little museum with actual artifacts and a nice little indoor walk with photos and descriptions. Great size and unique feel to the museum. The actual park is so pretty. Easily accessible with a stroller and a toddler. I wish we were here on a weekend to get a free tour but still super lovely free activity to do.

Quick historical stop. You could be in and out in about an hour. Plenty of parking when we were there. Self guided tour, we didnt encounter any employees or anyone who worked there.

A very quiet and relatively small national park but it does have some interesting history as it is the first iron works in America.

Great historical facts and cool place to visit

We did not have much time here, but it was a great short stop, that we could have spent much longer at. Very interesting.

This place is amazing. It is a national historic site, with no entry fee/tours and museums are free. We went for both tours at 11 am (The Iron Works Houseand 2 pm (Industrial site), our guide, Ranger Paul was absolutely amazing, he shared lots of information, connected the history facts, and with 2 other Rangers (do not remember the namesrun water over the waterwheels at the forge and the warehouse to show us how they worked in around 1650. Lots of information, bog ore and gabbro samples, informative short movie at the museum, artifacts from archaeological work. Really nice amazing place. We learned a lot!! There is also a short river walk where you can see turtles, Canadian ducks and mallard ducks, and other birds.

Nice site.

Nice place to go for a small walk use the trail among the bank. I beleive it is free but not sure they where closing but you just walk around . They have also museum and shop. Clean WC, LVit

What an amazing place, so cool to see a re-developed iron works. It was really quiet when we visited and there was no demonstrations on. However, the buildings were clean and had plenty of information about them. I would recommend bringing a picnic as its a really nice place to sit and chill.

This place was really cool and very informative

Ver pretty. It has guides, places to have a picnic. It also have two Pokemon gyms and a few stops.

Even while closed for season, you can walk the entire grounds and see the history of this iron works. I was amazed to not only be able to get up close and see the water wheel, but to also see that it is still held together with old techniques!

Cool NPS site that’s off the beaten path and not known by most locals. Things were closed when we visited and I am sure it is even better in season as it appears to be well maintained and functional.

Buildings are not open (no rest rooms or museum availableNovember-May, but grounds are open and structures can be seen. Located on the Saugus River, which had a lot of geese on it when we visited on February 15. A moderate number of people walking through the grounds who didnt seem interested in any of the structures, but were just enjoying the walk and scenery. We will return when its fully open.

Its free, its beautiful and self guided tours provide you with enough history if you read the plaques. Should this picture be made into a puzzle

In short, be sure to time your visit with the tour, the Park is a working iron works, with knowledgable and engaged staff. I missed the "fire and brimstone" tours but I saw several working water wheel demonstrasyons...if you are in the area...especially heading to Acadia from BOS, call for tour times. And stretch your legs there.

Such a beautiful site. I visit and take my dog for a walk whenever Im in the area.

The Saugus Iron Works is a National Park that if youre in the area you have to see. The first place in the new world they made Iron

Never knew about this place, found out it’s only about 10 minutes from my house! I came to check it out today for the first time, it was neat! All the buildings were pretty cool and overall it was a very pretty site. I will have to come back to have a little picnic and watch the waterwheel and blacksmith presentations!

It was interesting but all the buildings were locked up, and there were no rangers to be found. Apparently they disappear outside of tour times.

Thanks to Paul for being a great National Park interpreter. There is really a lot to learn here. Both historically how it fed the demand for a growing population, and also to contrast how metal was manufactured 450+ years ago compared to todays modern mills & casting houses.

While things are closed for COVID, the grounds are open and you can get a pretty good picture of what must have taken place at the first iron furnace in the United states. Walking around the iron furnace and seeing the giant bellows that stoked the heat is pretty amazing. Well worth a free tour of the grounds. Would have been fun to see the inside of some of the buildings or perhaps the iron furnace in action.

Great historical place, the buldings and river makes the scenery so beautiful every time of the year, is simply amazing.

Nice place would never have know or thought of goin there. Friend told us to go that it was a hidden gem. So on our way to Salem MA for the Halloween festivities we stopped with the kids and explored the place. Very nice grounds. Lots of open space. And really cool old revolutionary war era artifacts that had been found on the property. Besides it being a iron works back in the 1600’s-1700’s. A lot of history is on the sight. But that’s pretty much true for all New England. Cool buildings. Water wheel, picnic tables, gift shop, park rangers that show u around and tell all the stuff you want to know. Check it out if u have a few hours to kill.

Another excellent road trip / day trip spot from the National Park Service! This historic site is a (reproductioniron works facility from the 17th century on the original site, researched via archaeological findings, and recreated. It’s super educational and interesting. There are plenty of signs and plaques for a self guided tour... or awesome helpful rangers to answer any questions and guide you through your visit. If you’re in the area, maybe on your way up to Salem, or down to Boston... definitely definitely check it out!

This is a gem .. such a gorgeous little area with some rich history .. do not skip the museum .. it is free!

This place was pretty cool. It came with a sweet sort of interactive walking tour, movie, and some great park rangers.

What a hidden gem! 1st it is free, has interesting history, pretty scenery, easy walking trails. Such a nice put together place.

Spent an enjoyable our here. The park ranger was very knowledgeable and gave great talk. The lady in the gift store when you first walk in, she was also a park ranger, she was very friendly and welcoming. They waited until we had too large of a group though before starting the tour, and we went in some small spaces where we couldnt all fit very well or see what the park ranger was talking about all at once. beautiful setting on the river. Lots to see and explore. Recommend it. Plus its free.

Beautiful property. Check the schedule or call ahead to confirm when the water wheels will be demonstrated. Great place to learn about the origins of the iron and steel trade in America. Takes about 1-2 hours to check out everything on the property. The rangers are great and always around to answer questions.

Great NHP!! Family friendly and accessible friendly !!! Great experience .... really enjoyed the ranger led tour of the industrial area!! Dont miss out on this hidden gem

Great place to visit for short walk, beautiful scenery with a small lake nearby. It tell the history of the iron work history in the town and how the building of the dam affected the marine traffic and sea traffic It is quiet and there is not much people there.

Living real close to this historic site is great! It has a good view of the Saugus river and is a great place to go for a short walk and learn about the history of this place. I myself come here often to just walk around it amd view the Saugus river especially in the summer time. Next time youre in town this is definetly a place you should pay a visit too. Parking here also is free so you wont pay for that or to get in just in case youre wondering.

We made it just in time for a tour of the house. This is an amazing, and interesting place to see.

Great place for history nerds like myself. Interesting history of the area, great learning environment for all ages. Site is fairly small, so you dont need a ton of time, but its limited enough it may not be terribly interesting for kids or adults who arent interested in local/American history.

We did not really plan this sightseeing and we were all the more glad to have looked at it. Beautifully landscaped so that in addition to the history, especially something nice to see. We liked it so much there that we would have been happy to make a change when leaving, but the park rangers just looked at us confused and said it was free.

Great historic significance. The ironworks has been reconstructed to its original state and it all works. The staff was very informative

The rangers where very nice and told us very detailed information and gave a great tour. Would highly recommend you go and learn about one way our country was started.

Interesting. I could have benefited from additional outdoor signage (or a tour guideexplaining things. Without water turning the wheels it takes some imagination to figure out how it all worked. Do take the time to watch the film and look at the museum displays before looking at the forge. We did the museum after. The ranger in the gift shop was able to answer a bunch of questions for us. He would have been a great tour guide.

It was so fun to explore the grounds of this dog friendly historic site and get another stamp in our NPS passport. Our dog even became an official “Bark Ranger”! Saugus Iron Works was in operation beginning in 1646 as the first foundry in the United States 🇺🇸 The buildings on the grounds include reconstructions of the blast furnace, forge and rolling mill. ⚒🔥 The visitor center is located inside the original 17th century house and is surrounded by beautiful and sweet smelling flowers and herbs. 💐 🌿 We loved all the scents! Thank you, @saugusironworks!! 🙏🐶🐾💞

First Ironworks in America, 1643. Great , easy trip. Plenty to see and learn about the Puritan era in the USA

Little visited historic Gen in New England. Discover our early iron forging history while strolling through some pretty grounds.