The Catoctin Furnace Slave Quarters: Digital Reconstruction
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This immersive 3D virtual reality tour of the quarters for the enslaved ironworkers at Catoctin Furnace was created using information from extant slave quarters at Whitney Plantation, James Madison’s Montpelier, Mount Vernon, and Hampton Plantation. With generous funding from the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (HCWHA) and the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc., the Virtual Reality Collaboration Lab (VRCOLAB) was able to “reconstruct” the missing quarters. Built at the time of the American Revolution, the stone triplex was repurposed as a mule barn before being demolished in the early years of the twentieth century. While the interiors are hypothetical, the location of the quarters on the Catoctin Furnace landscape has been verified using ground penetrating radar. The placement of doors and windows as well as the roof and other details were extrapolated from an early twentieth century photograph.
The 3D Virtual Reality Tour was developed for the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. by VRCOLAB. It was made possible by a grant from the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, a certified heritage area of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.
Ironmaster’s Mansion: Digital Reconstruction
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The ruined ca. 1785 Ironmaster’s Mansion at Catoctin Furnace is now accessible in this immersive 3D Virtual Reality Tour (Digital Twin). The enormous 17 room house occupied a position of control and surveillance over the workers at Catoctin Furnace. The wealth and prosperity this house represented in the late 18th and early 19th century was made possible by the labor and exploitation of enslaved Africans. As you explore the rooms, imagine the work it took to keep this house running. Enslaved men, women, and children laid fires in each of the 10 fireplaces, cleaned the massive 9 over 9 pane sash windows, polished silver candlesticks and tableware, prepared lavish meals and served the ironmaster, his family, and guests. Do you think the ironmaster and his family, served each day by enslaved house servants, understood that their wealth and lifestyle was made possible by enslaving other human beings? Do you think the enslaved servants, serving the ironmaster and his family, dreamed each day of their home in Africa and freedom? Living at the same time and occupying the same space, their lives and world view were at odds. Imagine these disparate worlds as you move through the contested space.
The 3D Virtual Reality Tour was developed for the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. by VRCOLAB. It was made possible by a grant from the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, a certified heritage area of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.
The Museum of the Ironworker
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The Isabella Casting Shed
Click and drag to explore the casting shed or press the “play” button in the window watch the video version.
Our virtual tours were made possible by:
Aaron Rice
Virtual Reality Collaboration Lab
www.VRCOLAB.com