Catoctin Furnace Historical Society acquires African American cemetery, plans to give to state park
Catoctin Furnace group honors Juneteenth, launches virtual reality reconstruction
Relative Mystery: Catoctin Furnace Research Links Modern Families to Enslaved Ancestors
Built on the backs of slaves:Long lost cemetery & the birth of a nation
New ‘Braided Lives’ documentary tells the story of Catoctin Furnace African Americans
Hess Stinson on Black kinship and the Catoctin African-American cemetery
OUR LEGACY IS THE LIVING — PRESERVING THE HISTORY OF THE CATOCTIN IRONWORKERS
IN FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND, ARCHAEOLOGISTS, HISTORIANS, BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGISTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WORK TO UNCOVER THE BURIED PAST.
A Maryland poet honors enslaved African ironworkers at Descendants Reunion
Saving sacred Black spaces in Appalachian Maryland: The descendants of Enslaved Ironworkers at Catoctin Furnace are reunited with purpose
Catoctin Furnace African American descendants hold first-ever reunion
Enslaved people operated the Catoctin Furnace iron works for 60 years. Their descendants meet for the first time this weekend
‘FIRST HOPEFULLY OF MANY’ ‘The first hopefully of many’: Descendants of enslaved ironworkers to meet at Catoctin Furnace
Clip from upcoming PBS documentary about Frederick, MD: “Archaeology of Catoctin Furnace | InSpired Elizabeth Comer”
A historic Black cemetery and the family fighting to preserve it
From Vikings to Beethoven: what your DNA says about your ancient relatives
Our legacy is the living — Preserving the history of the Catoctin ironworkers
Is Blood thicker than water?: Stories on Black kinship and legacy in Frederick County
We’ve all got a story to tell — even you| Black Joy – June 14 2024
Catoctin Furnace will celebrate Juneteenth
Catoctin Furnace hosts iron festival to showcase historic trade, art form
Experience the sights, scents and sounds of the past at the Maryland Iron Festival
Catoctin Furnace Historical Society wins state award for its work restoring the Forgeman’s House
Through genetics, researchers track ancestors of unknown enslaved people in Maryland
23andMe Connects Living Family to Enslaved African American from Historic Site
Washington County family is first positively linked to Catoctin Furnace enslaved workers by new DNA technique
All Saints’ Episcopal Church reflects on local history of slavery during Lent
DNA from enslaved 19th century Maryland girl traced forward to living relatives
Ancient DNA & U.S. History: The Genetic Legacy of African Americans from Catoctin Furnace
The Initiative for the Science of the Human Past at Harvard sponsored a discussion about recent work in U.S. History from Prof. David Reich’s lab that deploys ancient DNA and Big Data to discover new genomic insights into the life stories of 27 enslaved African American Ironmakers at Catoctin Furnace MD, 1774-1850. Senior author David Reich and lead author Dr. Éadaoin Harney briefly recapitulated their findings and eminent experts from the Harvard community offered brief comments from their different disciplinary perspectives.
American Bus Association’s Destinations Magazine, Jan/Feb 2024
Spend a Night in the Past: An overnight stay at the Forgeman’s House brings history into modern day
NMNH in Review: Top Discoveries by Museum Scientists in 2023
Catoctin Furnace group receives more than $400K in grants for preservation
Seven county nonprofits get state grants
The 2023 Trail of Souls: Liberation through Education
November 4, 2023
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
The impetus for the “Trail of Souls” grew out of the Diocese of Maryland’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s mission to discover and be reconciled with the Episcopal Church’s involvement and complicity in slavery and its legacies. On November 4, 2023, the Trail of Souls Pilgrimage explored enslavement and its aftermath at three sites in Maryland including the Catoctin Iron Furnace and the Museum of the Ironworker. This video follows the pilgrimage of discovery and conciliation at All Saints Church, Sunderland in Calvert County, Catoctin Furnace in Frederick County, and Emmanuel, Cumberland in Allegany County.
Champion Silver Maple tree recognized at Catoctin Furnace
SCIENCE
VOLUME 381| | ISSUE 6657
Aug 3, 2023
The genetic legacy of African Americans from Catoctin Furnace
Éadaoin Harney, Steven Micheletti, Karin S. Bruwelheide,William A. Freyman, Katarzyna Bryc, Ali Akbari, Ethan Jewett, Elizabeth Comer, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Linda Heywood, John Thornton, Roslyn Curry, Samantha Ancona Esselmann, Kathryn G. Barca, Jakob Sedig, Kendra Sirak, Iñigo Olalde. Nicole Adamski, Rebecca Bernardos, Nasreen Broomandkhoshbacht, Matthew Ferry, Lijun Qiu, Kristin Stewardson, J. Noah Workman. Fatma Zalzala, Shop Mallick, Adam Micco, Matthew Mah, Zhao Zhang, 23andMe Research Team, Nadin Rohland, Joanna L. Mountain, Douglas W. Owsley and David Reich
Community-initiated genomics
Ancient DNA is used to connect enslaved African Americans to modern descendants
Fatimah L. C.Jackson
Tracing the genetic history of African Americans using ancient DNA, and ethical questions at a famously weird medical museum
Sarah Crespi, Kevin McLean, Titi Shodiya, Zakiya Whatley and Rodrigo Pérez Ortega
DNA study links thousands living descendants to African Americans buried at a former Maryland slave site
Ancestry and descendants of African Americans buried at Catoctin Furnace
August 22, 2023
Harrison Wein, Ph.D, Vicki Contie and Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.
NIH Research Matters
DNA Links 42,000 Living People to Enslaved and Free African Americans Buried in Maryland: The research, initiated by the local African American community, could be a roadmap for future genealogy studies
The Baltimore Banner, “DNA links remains of enslaved people buried in Maryland to nearly 3,000 direct descendants:The highest concentration of descendants is in Maryland, according to the study” published this week in the journal ‘Science’”
African American History Revealed through DNA Analysis of Enslaved People at Catoctin Furnace
DNA links enslaved people to living descendants
A landmark study opens a new possible way for Black Americans to trace their ancestry
August 4, 2023
Scott Maucione
NPR Morning Edition
Old African American cemetery yields DNA links to 41,000 new ‘relatives’
DNA from 27 enslaved people buried near a Maryland iron forge was also tied to regions in Africa
August 4, 2023
Michael E. Ruane, Carolyn Y. Johnson and Aara’L Yarber
The Washington Post
Ancient DNA reveals the living descendants of enslaved people through 23andMe
Aug 3, 2023
nature
FORGING CONNECTIONS
DNA from enslaved Black workers at a 19th century iron forge links them to living descendants. But the research swirls with ethical questions
Aug 3, 2023
Andrew Curry
Science
‘Ancient DNA’ tools and 23andMe database uncover African American ancestries of thousands
Aug 3, 2023
STAT
El ADN de 27 esclavos muertos hace siglos identifica a 42.000 parientes actuales en EE UU
Un estudio sin precedentes recupera los orígenes de miles de familias afroamericanas de cuyos ancestros no había registros
Aug 3, 2023
Nuño Domínguez
El País
Click here to read English translation
Enslaved African Americans in Maryland Linked to 42,000 Living Relatives
The analysis marks the first time historical DNA has been used to trace the descendants and distant cousins of enslaved people, researchers said.
Aug 3, 2023
Carl Zimmer
The New York Times
Historical DNA Reveals Connection between Living People to Early Enslaved and Free African Americans
August 3, 2023
23andMe – Ancestry (2nd blog post)
Catoctin Furnace sees return of blacksmithing after century of absence
Aug 2, 2023
The Fredrick News-Post
Historical DNA Reveals Connection between Living People to Early Enslaved and Free African Americans
July 20, 2023
23andMe – Ancestry (1st blog post)
Smithsonian Channel to air new documentary about story of Catoctin Furnace ironworkers
June 6, 2023
Mikayla Newton
DC News Now
HOT METAL HISTORY
Catoctin Furnace holiday event shines light on facility’s history
July 2, 2023
Ryan Marshall
Fredrick News-Post
The Landmark: Newsletter of the Frederick County Landmarks Foundation
Winter 2022-2023
Painter, musicians pay homage to those once enslaved at Catoctin Furnace
Nov 6, 2022
The Trail of Souls: A Journey Toward Truth and Transformation
Jul 6, 2022
On September 12, 2020, the 236th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland passed Resolution 2020-06, creating a $1,000,000 seed fund for reparations. On May 26, 2022, the diocese began returning those funds to the Black community in the form of grants to organizations who are working to repair the breach that is systemic racism in Maryland while building up Black communities around the diocese. […]
Click here to watch The Trail of Souls: A Journey Toward Truth and Transformation
Journey Through Hallowed Ground Virtual Program: Catoctin Furnace
May 18, 2022
Watch the video of Catoctin Furnace as a part of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway
Click here to watch the JTHG Wednesday Virtual Visits
Washington Post Article – Uncovering the past: Exploring Black history in Frederick County
Jan 26, 2022
TRADITIONAL VILLAGE CHRISTMAS
Traditional Village Christmas: Catoctin Furnace celebrates German heritage with old-time crafts, food, and a visit with the bizarrely wonderful Belsnickle
Dec 2, 2021
New Yorker Article on Black Cemeteries
Sep 27, 2021
Catoctin Furnace and its hallowed African American cemetery are mentioned in The New Yorker this week. Jill Lepore’s article, “Unearthing Black History,” explores conflicted views surrounding efforts to rescue African American remains. This is an important and timely read. Thank you to Jill and The New Yorker staff for exploring this subject. We will endeavor to do the right thing at Catoctin Furnace, searching for the descendant community while expanding our collective kinship.
Jeff Holland: On Catoctin visit, a walk into rich history | COMMENTARY
August 29, 2021
Washington Post Article
Faces of the dead emerge from lost African American graveyard, by Michael E. Ruane. The bones of enslaved furnace workers tell the grim story of their lives. Read it here.
Frederick News Post Article
Our recent unveiling, “Forged in Iron and Bone: Unveiling Faces of the Enslaved” was profiled in the Frederick News Post on June 25, 2021. Read it here.
Philadelphia Magazine Article
Our web site was also mentioned in a recent Philadelphia Magazine article, contracted by the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.
Baltimore Magazine Article
Our web site was mentioned in a recent Baltimore Magazine article, contracted by the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.
Frederick News Post Letter to the Editor
Delegation understands importance of heritage tourism – May 22, 2020
Catoctin Furnace Historical Society Articles in the Frederick News Post
Catoctin Furnace Historical Society to unveil facial reconstructions of two slaves, March 1, 2020
The process of making a facial reconstruction from centuries-old bones, March 1, 2020
Catoctin Furnace Historical Society in National Gardener Magazine!
The CHFS , the Green-walled Garden Club and our partners at the Silver Oak Academy are featured in the summer edition of the National Gardener Magazine sponsored by the National Garden Club. Click here, and read pages 23-26.
Catoctin Furnace allowed dozens to get a taste for Black History Month
Culinary students from Silver Oaks Academy catered the lunch inspired by history. Check our news coverage Here.
Grant helps with conservation efforts at Frederick County historical treasure: Catoctin Furnace
See our article in the Frederick News-Post.
Meet Valerie Tripp: A Q&A with American Girl book series mastermind before her appearance in Thurmont
Frederick News-Post
Abraham Lincoln in Song and Oh Freedom!
Thank you for supporting Abraham Lincoln in Song and Oh Freedom, Songs of the Civil Rights Movement. If you missed the concert you can still listen to the music! Click on the links below to download song samples of Chris Vallillo on Soundcloud:
From Oh Freedom!:
From Abraham Lincoln in Song:
Check out our Section 106 Success Story below!
Recognizing History: Landmarks honors Catoctin Furnace homes with plaques
Catoctin Furnace homes in the Frederick News-Post
April 29, 2015
Karen Gardner
Furnace Bar and Grill is proud of area’s history, and their food
The local business in the Frederick News-Post: Frederick News-Post
April 13, 2015
Ed Waters, Jr.
Buried Secrets: Study of skeletal remains may hold key to slave history
Catoctin Furnace Bioarchaeological Research in the Frederick News-Post: Frederick News-Post
April 12, 2015
Erik Anderson
Heritage Food Luncheon in the Frederick News-Post
The Heritage Food Luncheon, sponsored by the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc., Cunningham Falls State Park, Harriet Chapel, and the Silver Oak Academy was recently featured in the Frederick News-Post. Click here to read the article!
New Video of Catoctin Furnace and Springfield Manor
Check out our new aerial videos of Catoctin Furnace and Springfield Manor taken by Till Sonnemann using a Phantom II Quadcopter with a GoPro3+:
Catoctin Furnace Historic Site and Nearby Springfield Manor Winery and Distillery
This lovely oil painting of the Isabella stack and casting shed at Catoctin Furnace was painted by award winning artist Ellen Gavin of Millsville, New Jersey. Ellen painted the scene during a visit to the village in June 2014 and generously donated the finished work to the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc.
Bond Bill Success!
The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society has received a bond bill grant from the Maryland General Assembly! The grant, in the amount of $100,000, will be used for renovations to the Forgeman’s House. This would not have been possible without tireless support from Senator David R. Brinkley. The Catoctin Furnace Society also acknowledges help from Silver Oak Academy in this endeavor. To everyone who helped the CFHS along the way to this important moment, THANK YOU!
MHAA Grant Success!
The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society has received a Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Project Grant in the amount of $48,000 to complete the renovations to the Forgeman’s House. THANK YOU to all who supported this effort!
TRIPP Grant Success!
The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society has received a TRIPP Grant from the Tourism Council of Frederick County! The grant, in the amount of $6,000, will be used for display cases and exhibits in the “Museum of the Furnace Worker” at 12610 Catoctin Furnace Road. TRIPP grants (Tourism Reinvestment in Promotion and Product) are aimed at supporting tourism marketing and development by non-profit attractions in Frederick County. THANK YOU to the Tourism Council for all your support!