Ironmaster’s Mansion: Digital Reconstruction 

Click and drag to explore the casting shed or press the “play” button in the window watch the video version. 

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

Click and drag to explore the museum or press the “play” button in the window watch the video version. 

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