Furnace Town Historic Site

Furnace Town is an iron works museum situated on the banks of Nassawango Creek in Worcester County, preserving the remains of a 19th-century iron production site. The grounds contain the furnace structure, several workshops, residential buildings, and gardens that illustrate the operations and daily life of that era.

The iron works was established in 1830 and utilized bog ore from the surrounding landscape to produce iron until operations ceased in 1849. The facility was part of a broader industrial movement in the region that tapped into local natural resources.

The site demonstrates how iron production shaped work and daily life in rural Maryland during the industrial era. Visitors can see restored workshops where craftspeople once practiced their trades alongside furnace operations.

The museum is located on Old Furnace Road and typically opens on weekends, with guided tours available to help visitors understand the site more fully. The location is best explored at a leisurely pace, allowing time to walk through the buildings and grounds.

A notable figure in the site's history is Sampson Harmon, a free African American born in 1790 who lived independently at the location. His presence illuminates the more complex social reality that existed at this industrial site.

Location: Worcester County

Address: 3816 Old Furnace Rd, Snow Hill, MD 21863

Phone: +(410)6322032

Website: http://furnacetown.org

GPS coordinates: 38.20410,-75.47061

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:21