Visit the Museum of the Ironworker
The Museum of the Ironworker is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.
Fall/Winter hours begin after Labor Day (September 7th, 2026) wherein we are open on weekends only.
Parking: EV Charging Station Available
First Energy and DNR worked with CFHS to install the EV station. While you step back in time at Catoctin Furnace, your electric vehicle can charge up at our brand new Level 2 charging station located in the furnace parking lot, 12698 Catoctin Furnace Road.
The charging station is located in the parking lot in front of the furnace. From the parking lot you will need to proceed down the African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail and follow the signs leading to the Museum of Ironworker.
Extend Your Stay: Overnight Rental of the Forgeman's House
The Forgeman’s House is not a typical overnight destination. Step back in time by staying in a historic 1820’s home, without leaving behind the comfort of a modern bathroom and kitchen. The rental also has a gas fireplace!
Join us for our June CFHS Meeting
Tuesday, June 9th, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
By tradition we do not hold an August meeting
We will hold a hybrid meeting. You may join us in person at The Museum of the Ironworker or on Zoom where you can join via computer or telephone. If you experience any issues, please call 240-288-7396 and we will help you register.
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with meeting details. You only need to register once, and you’ll stay registered through January 2027. The email will include a Zoom link you can add to your calendar to join the meeting every second Tuesday of the month. This format avoids sending a new link each month.
The Smithsonian Channel's "America's Hidden Stories: Forged In Slavery"
(Season 3, Episode 3) is streamable on the following services: fuboTV , Hulu (Premium), YouTube TV/YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Vudu and Amazon Prime Video
“Visit” The Catoctin Furnace African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail.
Click the image to download your virtual passport stamp. Tag your “trip” on social media
Facebook: @PassportToYourNationalParks
Instagram: @PassportToNationalParks
Twitter: @ParksPassport
CFHS Featured
OUTDOORS MARYLAND Episode 3303 featuring Catoctin Furnace
County Spotlight: Historical Grant- Recovering Identity Survey
SHINE grant from Maryland Humanities
We are delighted to announce that Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. has received a 2026 SHINE grant from Maryland Humanities. Thank you for your continued support of CFHS in both 2025 and 2026!
The Catoctin Crier
Upcoming Events:
Volunteer Hours Form
Did you volunteer for CFHS in 2025? If so, please take a moment to fill out your volunteer hours form. Please also do so for the year 2026! Thank you to all of our volunteers for your support of CFHS.
Catoctin Furnace Historical Society releases groundbreaking DNA research to find the descendants of skilled enslaved ironworkers.
Press Releases:
Analysis Reveals Ancestry, Possible Descendants of Enslaved and Free African Americans
DNA Connects 40,000 Living Americans to Enslaved Black Ironworkers
Articles and Podcasts:
Science, “The genetic legacy of African Americans from Catoctin Furnace”
Science, “Community-initiated genomics”
The New York Times, “Enslaved African Americans in Maryland Linked to 42,000 Living Relatives”
STAT, ‘Ancient DNA’ tools and 23andMe database uncover African American ancestries of thousands
Harvard Magazine, “Tracing Slaves to Modern Descendants”
Nature, “Ancient DNA reveals the living descendants of enslaved people through 23andMe”
23andME, “Ethics and the Study of Historic DNA of African Americans Buried at the Catoctin Furnace”