Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc.

Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. is a volunteer run organization, established in 1972.

We focus on commemorating, studying, preserving, and sharing the rich history of the village and run the Museum of the Ironworker. The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc., celebrates, studies, and preserves the rich history of this pre-revolutionary industrial village.

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.

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

Sky Stage in a popular outdoor arts venue in downtown Frederick. But did you know that its ground was once home to a gun...
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 rifles 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!

Catoctin Mountain Park is offering a new historical walking tour: Movement on the Mountain: The African American History...
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

Play Music on the Porch Day is Saturday, August 29, 2026. It is a worldwide event which everyone can participate in by s...
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!

The Frederick News-Post is bringing back Frederick's Best of the Best contest! In this contest, Frederick residents can ...
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!

We are receiving a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Program!The restored furnace and casting shed will soo...
08/07/2026

We are receiving a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Program!

The restored furnace and casting shed will soon be equipped with a new digital projection, so that visitors can get a visual and auditory experience of the ironmaking process.

The project is called Fire in the Furnace and will show molten iron pouring from the furnace into troughs on the casting shed floor.

The project is set to be completed this winter. For more information, see Lauren LaRocca's article for Frederick News Post.

https://thefnp.com/tncms/asset/editorial/4256b009-8a5d-4146-aef3-ecaf1865b7e8/

Yesterday was Hopewell Furnace's Establishment Day. Max, Rasmus, and Julia represented Catoctin Furnace at the event and...
08/02/2026

Yesterday was Hopewell Furnace's Establishment Day. Max, Rasmus, and Julia represented Catoctin Furnace at the event and had an amazing day!

We are excited to share that Rasmus Denoke has started the first ever Furnace Fellowship, a one-year residential researc...
07/30/2026

We are excited to share that Rasmus Denoke has started the first ever Furnace Fellowship, a one-year residential research and professional development program at Catoctin Furnace.

Rasmus is from Germany and first came to the United States as an international student in 2024. He recently completed his Master’s degree and his position as a Language Assistant at Hood College.

Since joining the team in June, Rasmus has been giving tours of the museum, the Log House and the Fraley Store. He enjoys the many different angles which the job has to offer - interacting with visitors, conducting primary research, as well as gaining professional museum experience.

Address

12610 Catoctin Furnace Road
Thurmont, MD
21788

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(240) 288-7396

Website

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