Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

All we knew was that Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site was the birthplace of American Steel. And upon arriving, we discovered that James’s descendant John Winthrop was the one leading the charge here. I even asked him on the way over if his family was ever involved in the steel industry and he said that he had no knowledge of that … and then. history taught us a lesson!

I do not do a ton of research before I visit a NPS Unit, other than a quick read about the top-line history and to confirm the official address. I always want to be in the moment and to learn about the location with those that I am with to make the experience more meaningful for everyone involved. I am not a history nor nature expert and I don’t want to push my National Park Service Unit passion on others with peppering factoids to them all the time. This approach works for me and I am lucky that I can discover them with the ones I love.

James has been one of my best friends since my early twenties. I am careful not to push too many NPS Units onto him when we travel as he likes to experience his days organically and not too planned. So this was a super fun surprise indeed!

And, as I learned from a contractor working on renovations, the green color on the building is actually copper that they paint on them. Very unique!