Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc.

09/06/2026

We are thrilled to share that two new ten-plate stoves have been donated to us! Look how we assembled the heavy plates into the finished stoves which are now on display in the Museum of the Ironworker.

*McPherson and Brien Antietam Iron Works Stove*
This enormous ten-plate stove was made at Catoctin’s sister furnace, Antietam Iron Works, located in Washington County, Maryland. Antietam was owned by John McPherson and John Brien from 1806 to 1834. John Brien also owned Catoctin Furnace between 1819 and 1834. Records show that ironworkers, including those enslaved, were shared and moved between these operations.
This stove is decorated with a naval battle scene and the phrase “DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP” which pays homage to the dying command of American naval captain James Lawrence who was wounded on the ship Chesapeake during the War of 1812. Patriotic commemorative items such as this stove were frequently produced during the years following this battle. The highly decorated stove is also festooned with the Greek muse Calliope playing her lyre and accompanied by her son Orpheus, as well as multiple laurel garlands that signify victory, honor, and achievement.
It was donated to CFHS in 2026 by Michael and Justin Yourtee from Greystone, the Yourtee family home in Brownsville, Maryland. Elizabeth (Betty) Yourtee Anderson grew up in Greystone and recorded the presence of this remarkable stove.

*Washington Foundry Stove*
This ten-plate stove was made in Baltimore, Maryland at the Washington Foundry located on Conway Street. The Washington Foundry operated between 1838 and the 1860s in Ridgely’s Delight near present day Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The area’s development can be largely attributed to the establishment of the University of Maryland medical facilities in 1812 and the B & O Railroad Yards in 1830.
This stove was also donated to CFHS in 2026 by Michael and Justin Yourtee from Greystone. Elizabeth Yourtee Anderson's grandfather, John Tilghman graduated from the University of Maryland medical school in 1865. It is possible that his time in Baltimore included purchasing this stove and bringing it to Washington County where it helped heat Greystone.

09/05/2026

Visit Catoctin Furnace to get your own National Underground Railroad stamp!

Catoctin Furnace, as a Network to Freedom Site, is thrilled to offer an on-site physical passport cancellation stamp. The Network to Freedom program honors the history of resistance to enslavement and escape and was established by the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998. This National Park Service initiative has documented over 800 verified Underground Railroad sites, facilities, and educational programs across 40 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada.

Catoctin Furnace's physical passport cancellation stamp joins the virtual stamp rolled out in 2020, which is available on our website. The virtual passport stamp allows history enthusiasts to explore online exhibits and collect digital cancellations from participating locations and partner organizations of the National Park Service such as Catoctin Furnace.

As many as 271 enslaved people of African ancestry made up the bulk of Catoctin Furnace’s workers, producing wealth and prosperity for the owners, one of whom became the first governor of Maryland. Researchers have found six advertisements, ranging from 1780 to 1846, for 16 freedom seekers from Catoctin Furnace. A cemetery of African American enslaved workers, excavated in 1979, is providing valuable information about the harsh existence they endured, their ancestral origins, and the family units that helped sustain them.

09/03/2026

Oral History Interview with Betty Willard by Anne Comer
March 31, 2026
1:52:10

In this fascinating interview, Betty Willard describes her memories of Catoctin Furnace in vivid detail as well as her life in the greater furnace lands on Catoctin Mountain.

Betty’s grandparents lived in the village of Catoctin Furnace directly across from the F.W. Fraley Store. Betty’s description of buying her first-grade school supplies in the general store with the help of Franklin Fraley is fabulous. A quarter paid for a tablet, pencils, and crayons!

Her grandmother, Annie Anders, told Betty about seeing the iron pour at the furnace at night when mothers and children would get out of bed and walk up to the casting shed to see the red-hot spectacle!

The interview is full of “first of it’s kind” information for researchers including descriptions of a thriving cottage industry for village women. . .a truck would drop off cut pieces of fabric each week and pick up finished garments sewn by village women.

A sauerkraut recipe and an accident involving a truck that filled wheelbarrows with cabbage for everyone in the village. . .
Roller skating down the big hill on Catoctin Furnace Road. . .
Firsthand description of the grandeur of Ironmaster’s Mansion. . .
Belsnickeling at Auburn at Christmas. . .
So much more. . .

This interview is filled with amazing firsthand accounts of the past that enrich and expand village history.

The interview is available to reach and listen to under "Oral Histories" on the Historical Research page:

The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc., celebrates, studies, and preserves the rich history of this pre-revolutionary industrial village, including the architecture, cultural landscapes, lifeways, and foodways of the workers. Below you will find some useful documents and links to historical a...

08/31/2026

Check out our latest YouTube Video, an interview with Joseph Bowie from July 5, 2011.

In this interview, Joseph speaks about his upbringing and how he fell in love with Jazz music. Joseph says previously Jazz was taught to the next generation by mentorship. Now, schools teach technique and it sounds the same. His was the last generation to do something different with a unique sound. Joseph wants to "sound like me," not anyone else.

This video was uploaded with the permission of Belva King, the producer.

08/31/2026

Come work with us! Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. seeks a 2026-2027 Furnace Fellow!

The Furnace Fellowship is a one-year, 40 hour per week, residential research and professional development program at historic Catoctin Furnace in western Maryland offered by the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. (CFHS). Each year two new Fellows are invited to join the site and participate in the research and interpretation of the industry and workers of this important early iron industry site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The current fellowship opening will begin as soon as possible after September 1, 2026 and end August 31, 2027. The application deadline is rolling but applicants are encouraged to apply asap.

Applicants should submit a current CV/Resume with 3 references and a one-page prospectus exploring their desired research or museum management and interpretation interest that aligns with Catoctin Furnace. This position is open to recent graduates holding either an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Please find the the full position description including application instructions here: https://catoctinfurnace.org/furnace-fellowship

08/30/2026

Yesterday was - Thanks to The Hot Furnace Boys, visitors were able to enjoy authentic Bluegrass music in the Fraley Store!

08/29/2026

Sky Stage in a popular outdoor arts venue in downtown Frederick. But did you know that its ground was once home to a gun-lock factory during the American Revolution? The factory was opened in 1776 and manufactured firing mechanisms for ri**es that were then used in the Revolutionary War. The factory founders were the owners of Catoctin Furnace, specifically James Johnson, who had dealings with John Hanson and Samuel Boone in making muskets.

Max Slinghoff, currently a Senior at Gettysburg College, recently completed the Pohonka Internship at Catoctin Furnace and Catoctin Mountain Park. During his time here, Max did major research on the Gunlock Factory, which he will present on Tuesday, September 8th, during our monthly meeting starting at noon. Thank you Max for your valuable research as well as your time at Catoctin Furnace!

08/28/2026

Catoctin Mountain Park is offering a new historical walking tour: Movement on the Mountain: The African American History of Camp Round Meadow. The program will be presented by Santina Paul, who is working with the park as part of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program. The walking tour will be offered on the following dates:

Friday, August 28, 11:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Saturday, September 5, 11:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Saturday, October 3, 11:00 to 11:45 a.m.

These are free events. For more information see the calendar of events page here: https://www.nps.gov/cato/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

08/26/2026

Play Music on the Porch Day is Saturday, August 29, 2026. It is a worldwide event which everyone can participate in by simply going outside and playing some music, either by themselves or with others.

Catoctin Furnace is participating with Ken Brink playing music on the porch of the Fraley Store from 11am until 1pm. Everyone is welcome to join and celebrate this special day with us!

08/09/2026

The Frederick News-Post is bringing back Frederick's Best of the Best contest! In this contest, Frederick residents can vote for their favorite local businesses, organizations, and attractions.

The first voting round is underway and until August 11th, you can vote for Catoctin Furnace every day. Go to https://www.fredericknewspost.com/special/best_of_the_best/voting/ to register, scroll down to Destinations and then Museum. Share this with your friends and family to get as many votes in as we can!