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Iron Furnace
Restoration Work
Newsletter
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Iron Furnace Park, Main Street
Lonaconing, Maryland
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(Click a picture for a different view.) |
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Thanks for your help!
MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST
Fiscal Year 2005 Capital / Historic Preservation Grant Awards.
$ 50,000 awarded to the George's Creek Promotion Council of Lonaconing, Maryland, Inc. for the Lonaconing Iron Furnace.
Project work includes maintenance evaluation, structural analysis and mitigation of moisture problems, stone and brick masonry repairs and restoration for the Lonaconing Iron Furnace.
PROGRESS TO DATE:
(Work not started yet.)
REFERENCE:
http://www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/2capgr.html
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Historic rubble, some of which may be a century old, fills the access tunnels inside the stonesuperstructure which surrounds the column of the furnace chamber. Behind this rubble is the fourth chamber of the furnace, the chamber for the slag outlet port.
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| In an ongoing program of many years, residents of Lonaconing and of the George's Creek area continue to investigate refurbishing the Iron Furnace. In 1979, a detailed refurbishment plan was prepared by Meyers, D'Aleo, and Patton, Inc. of Baltimore; in 1994 the plan was revised and updated by Regan-Matonak and Associates of Hagerstown.
Many of the suggested improvements below are from these plans. An updated Master Plan is in preparation prior to grant requests to private and public historical funding agencies and foundations. (Draft proposal information is available on request - please email Lonaconing@att.net)
Suggested work so far includes - - -
- Stabilize the physical structure by removing the present plant growth and inhibiting future plant growth.
- Remove by mechanical and/or chemical treatment the limestone deposits which have been left by rainwater leakage into of all three chambers.
- Sandblast the exterior and interior surfaces to restore the original sheen and texture of the superstructure.
- Determine the acceptability and feasibility of removing the ancient rubble in the alley area.
- Determine the acceptability and feasibility of treating the exposed stone and brickwork with a moisture retardant coating.
- Determine the acceptability and feasibility of removing the excess dirt and grass over what may be the original foundation and flooring.
- Examine the iron reinforcement rods for deterioration and repair as needed to insure the future integrity of the structure.
- Seal and cap the top of the structure, preferably with flagstone to reproduce the original top.
- Providing a better floor for both wing areas -- natural spring water from the ridge above the furnace leaks through the curtain walls and leaves the areas swampy much of the year.
- Determine the acceptability and feasibility of installing a safety railing so as to permit public access to the cap of the structure.
- Improved parking area for the convenience of buses and cars.
- An access ramp along the right side of the terrace to permit handicapped access.
- Rain shelters along both sides of the park -- protection from the frequent mountain showers which the area is prone to.
- Restroom facilities on the left-hand side close to the street -- available for both visitors and events.
| Currently, proposals are being made to departments of the Maryland State government and possible other sources of funding for this type of work. |
[-- Additional Snapshots --]
A closer look at the continuing
deterioration problems. |
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WORK COMPLETED IN 2007
Thank you -- to the various institutional and individual donors who made this work possible, especially Maryland State, Department of Natural Resources, in their Open Space program!
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- New concrete work to replace aging walks leading to the Iron Furnace. (Upper left.) Maryland D.N.R." Open Space"
- Purchase and installation of play equipment in the children's corner. (Upper right.) Maryland D.N.R." Open Space"
- Purchase and installation of new park lighting. (Left.) Maryland D.N.R." Open Space"
- Clearing of old shrubbery and trees in the park area; grounds maintenance; general repairs Town of Lonaconing
- Purchase and installation of schematic drawing display, lower terrace, to the right of the furnace. (Below - both.) Georges Creek Promotion Council
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Again, Thank You!
To our individual, community business, and institutional donors
Organizations and Businesses
- Town of Lonaconing
- Maryland State Dept. Natural Resources - "Open Spaces Program"
- George's Creek Promotional Council, Maryland -- www.web8.cc/georgescreek/promotion
- Medieval Traveler, Lonaconing, Maryland -- www.medieval.cc
- RK&A, Lonaconing, Maryland -- www.web8.cc
Questions? Comments! -- Lonaconing@att.net
Letters to: George's Creek History Exhibit, P.O.Box 240, Lonaconing, MD 21539
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