From Thursday, September 11, until Sunday, September 14, 2025, the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society will present seven public performances of Iron Will, set between October 11 and 13, 1780, at Catoctin Furnace. In 1780, the Continental Army convinced the co-owners of Catoctin Furnace—Maryland’s first governor, Thomas Johnson, and his brother James, the ironmaster at the furnace—to manufacture 31 tons of shells, which were fired, eventually, at the decisive Battle of Yorktown.
This original production based on historical events focuses on the personal stories of people at the furnace—owners and workers, European immigrants and African slaves—against the historical backdrop of the Revolutionary War and the development of Maryland’s industry.
Audiences will be able to immerse themselves in the lives of the people at the Revolutionary War era furnace by attending site-specific performances at historic locations, including the Collier Log Cabin, the fully functional blacksmith’s shop, the furnace, and other outdoor locations.
