Catoctin Furnace Awarded Grant to Recreate Historic Ironmaking
Visitors to Catoctin Furnace will soon be able to experience one of the most dramatic sights from the site’s historic past, thanks to a new grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Program.
Governor Wes Moore recently announced 58 matching grants, totaling $5 million for Maryland nonprofits, local governments, and heritage tourism organizations. Among the recipients was Catoctin Furnace, which received funding to create a digital projection that will recreate the ironmaking process inside the restored furnace.
The new exhibit will allow visitors to see a realistic projection of glowing molten iron flowing from the base of the furnace and into the casting shed, providing a glimpse of what workers would have witnessed nearly 250 years ago.
Established in 1776, Catoctin Furnace was one of Maryland’s earliest iron-producing operations and played an important role in the nation’s early industrial history. Enslaved and free skilled ironworkers produced cannons, cannonballs, stoves, firebacks, kettles, pots, and numerous other iron products at the site. Among its contributions were cannonballs used by American forces during the Revolutionary War, including at the Battle of Yorktown.
During the ironmaking process, iron ore was heated to approximately 2,800 degrees, creating brilliant streams of molten iron. Before the iron was tapped from the furnace, workers known as guttermen carefully prepared channels in sand across the casting house floor, directing the flowing metal into molds where finished products would take shape.
The upcoming digital projection aims to recreate this spectacular process. Along with vivid visuals of molten iron pouring through the casting house, the experience will include narration explaining each step of iron production and the ringing of the cast house bell that historically summoned moulders and their assistants to begin their work.
The project comes during a significant milestone for the historic site. In 2026, Catoctin Furnace is celebrating its 250th anniversary alongside the 250th anniversary of the United States, highlighting the community’s important role in the nation’s founding and industrial development.
Installation of the digital projection is expected to be completed during the winter of 2026, offering visitors a new and immersive way to experience one of Maryland’s most significant historic landmarks.
For more information or to schedule a visit to Catoctin Furnace, call 240-288-7396.
A digital projection of Catoctin Furnace’s ironmaking process inside the restored furnace will soon be created, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Program.
