DISCOVER
MARIETTA PA
Marietta History
Pig Iron Industry and Musselman Vesta Furnace Iron Center
The pig iron industry flourished in Lancaster County from the 1840's to 1920's. The Marietta Musselman Vesta furnace was one of eight “hot blast” anthracite coal fired blast furnaces along the Susquehanna River between Marietta and Columbia during that time.
The museum is located at 4 Donegal Place, Marietta PA, and is open seasonally on Sundays 1-3pm. Special tours can be arranged via rivertownespausa@gmail.com.
Old Town Hall Museum
Visit this Marietta treasure packed with history about the area, including documentation of Marietta's role in the eradication of polio and small pox. The museum's artifacts and memorabilia also include those from the civil war, old tools, and an 1847 fire engine.
The museum is located at 3 West Walnut Street (on the corner of North Waterford Avenue), Marietta, PA in an 1847 brick building. It's open first Sundays 11am-2pm. Tours can be arranged by calling 717-426-4736.
In-Person Guided History Tours of Marietta
In-person walking tours are occasionally given by historians familiar with the storied town of Marietta. Tickets and registration at Uncharted Lancaster. Look here for current offerings.
A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Historic Marietta
Everyone loves a good story and every town has one. This unique service can tell your our story by putting GPS located audio and visual content in your hands via your mobile device.
- A map will download with balloons at the different places featured.
- Hit the balloons and up comes a narrative.
- You choose when to click to the next image within each narrative- there are no prompts.
Go here to start your self-guided tour.
Another Self-Guided Historic Tour of Marietta
A digital-friendly breakdown of Marietta's National Historic District compiled by students of Elizabethtown College. This GPS map details prominent members of the community, key structures, the Pennsylvania Canal, former iron furnaces (Chickies, Henry Clay, Vesta), and historic taverns like the Railroad House and Shank's Tavern.
Access the tour here.