I'd add one more title to the helpful list, especially for anyone just getting started on the subject : Salmon, John S., The Washington Iron Works of Franklin County, Virginia, 1773-1850 / Richmond : Virginia State Library, 1986. Text and illustrations aimed, successfully I think, to explain the construction and operation of a fairly representative antebellum VA iron works in non-technical language. Dr. Jon Kukla, Executive Vice-President Red Hill - The Patrick Henry National Memorial 1250 Red Hill Road Brookneal, Virginia 24528 www.redhill.org