Want to stay up to date on CFHS news and upcoming event information? Join our newsletter and be the first to know about ticketed events and activities during our annual festivals!
Friday & Saturday
July 4th & 5th
Fourth at the Furnace
Friday – Saturday, July 4th & 5th, 10:00 am. to 4:00 pm.
Celebrate an old fashioned July 4th at Catoctin Furnace! Enjoy blacksmithing, children’s activities, tours of the Museum of the Ironworker and the Collier’s Log House. Self guided tours of the Isabella Furnace ruins and casting shed, the African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail, and the Iron Trail.
Enjoy classic Fourth of July favorites—grilled hot dogs, burgers, and more—available onsite outside of the Museum of the Ironworker. Proceeds go to support the new Catoctin Furnace Friends Group.
Tuesday
July 15th
July CFHS Meeting
Tuesday, July 15th, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The meeting is usually held on the second Tuesday of the month; however, for July 2025, it will be held on the third Tuesday instead.
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.
Monthly meetings will require participants to register in advance. You may join us in person at the Museum of the Ironworker or on Zoom. If you plan to join us via Zoom, you can join on your computer or telephone.
If you experience any issues, please call 240-288-7396 and we will help you register.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Thursday - Sunday
September 11th-14th
Catoctin Furnace Living History Festival
Immerse yourself in the story of the Revolutionary War Era community at Catoctin
Furnace in a race against time to cast shells for the decisive battle of Yorktown!
Thursday – Sunday, September 11th-14th
Thursday, September 11 @ 8:00pm (Pay-what-you-can Preview)
Friday, September 12 @ 8:00pm (Opening)
Saturday, September 13 @ 12:00pm, 4:00pm, 8:00pm
Sunday, September 14 @ 12:00pm, 4:00pm (Closing)
For more information visit this page closer to the performance dates or email [email protected]
Friday - Sunday
October 10th & 11th
Fallfest
Friday – Saturday, October 10th-11th
Join us for Fall Fest, a two-day event celebrating the tradition of apple butter making in the historic Catoctin Furnace village! Enjoy demonstrations by blacksmiths and craft vendors.
Saturday
December 6th
Traditional Village Christmas
December 6th, 10:00 am. to 4:00 pm.
Please join us on December 6th for our fourteenth annual Traditional Village Christmas event!
Traditional Village Christmas is an outdoor, European style Holiday market. Decorate a fresh wreath with bows, balls, bells, pinecones, holly, icicles and ornaments or let our volunteers do it for you! Select unique handmade gifts for the holidays. Watch a blacksmith at work!
Enjoy hot apple cider and heirloom-recipe baked goods. Children can make a craft and enjoy a visit with Belsnickel. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Christmas in Catoctin Furnace included a visit from Belsnickel to the homes of German immigrants. During this visit, which took place two weeks before Christmas, Belsnickel rewarded good children with treats but carried a switch to punish naughty ones.
We hope to see you there! Information for pre-ordering wreaths & roping will be updated as the event approaches.
Saturday
December 13th
Museums by Candlelight
Saturday, December 13th, times TBD
A beloved holiday tradition, Museums by Candlelight invites you to enjoy a magical December Saturday filled with special programs, living history, festive music, and FREE admission at participating museums. It’s the perfect event for a memorable holiday outing with the whole family!
Use the Museums by Candlelight Event Guide to explore all the details and plan your day discovering the rich history and vibrant culture of our communities.
Saturday & Sunday
May 16th & 17th
2026 Maryland Iron Festival
Saturday & Sunday, May 16th and 17th, 2026
More event information coming soon.
Vendor & Performer Applications Open January 1, 2026
Planning for the next Maryland Iron Festival is underway! Applications for vendors and performers—both returning and new—will open on January 1, 2026. If you’re interested in being part of the festival, please complete the application form to express your interest.
We look forward to hearing from you!
