Currently viewing the tag: "Harriet Chapel"

Washington Revels Jubilee Voices Performs at Harriet Chapel

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The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices performed at Harriet Chapel as part of the Iron Festival which is presented through the dedication of volunteers from The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Catoctin State Park, Harriet Chapel, The Thurmont Library, and numerous other community organizations.

The performance was generously sponsored by PNC Bank and centered around the lives of enslaved people who worked in the Catoctin Iron Furnace and helped build many of the structures in the Village of Catoctin Furnace.  The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensemble is a professional musical group committed to the preservation of African-American history and traditions—presenting songs and stories of struggle and perseverance, trials and triumphs, expressed through a cappella music, drama, and dance.

Free School Supplies = Lots of Smiles from Students and Parents

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Theresa Dardanell

On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, students in the Catoctin feeder district went “shopping” for free school supplies, thanks to generous donations from local churches, organizations, and the Stuff the Bus school supply drive. A total of 206 students, along with their families, gathered at Graceham Moravian Church in Thurmont for the annual Catoctin Community School Supply Program.

After selecting a brand new backpack, students went to the “store,” where they found hundreds of supplies, including folders and notebooks in nine different colors, stacks of binders and notebook paper, crayons, pens, pencils, rulers and more. Also, every student received a pair of headphones; middle and high school students were given USB drives.

Jen and Laura Harbaugh have been coordinating this event for ten years. They were joined this year by volunteers from Graceham Moravian Church, Harriet Chapel, CASS, and students in the Lewistown 4-H Club.

Jen Harbaugh said, “This year we had the most generous donations from the community and churches that we were able to actually give the kids exactly what is on their school supply list.”

DAR Presents Historic Marker

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The Frederick Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), will dedicate a historical marker to honor Harriet Chapel, following the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Service on October 22, 2017, at 12625 Catoctin Furnace Road in Thurmont.

Harriet Chapel is located on the edge of the Catoctin Furnace Historic District, which includes the structures of the Iron Works furnaces, several workers living quarters, the Forgeman’s house, an African American cemetery, and the ruins of the Iron Masters mansion. The Chapel’s history is intertwined with the significant growth and development of the American iron industry that took place in the region, as well as its diverse workforce. It fostered a sense of community to those who attended the religious services during the industrial period of expansion at the Furnace.

The Chapter’s Historical Marker Program commemorates historical sites, events, and personalities throughout Frederick City and County. Through the program, the wealth of Frederick history is made accessible to the public, as these markers provide on-the-spot history lessons of interest for the local community as well as tourists.

School Supply Drive Brings Smiles to Students

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Theresa Dardanell

Hundreds of colorful school supplies filled the basement of Graceham Moravian Church on Monday, August 8, 2016. The Catoctin Community School Supply Drive, coordinated by Jen and Laura Harbaugh, collected donations from churches, organizations, and individuals from Emmitsburg, Thurmont, Lewistown, Sabillasville, and Rocky Ridge.

Volunteers from Harriet Chapel and Graceham Moravian Church, along with members of the Harbaugh family, sorted and counted the supplies and purchased additional items with money and gift cards that were also donated. On distribution day, 271 students from ninety-nine families in the Catoctin feeder area chose supplies from tables stacked with backpacks, notebooks, crayons, markers, scissors, glue sticks, pencils, and more.

According to Jen Harbaugh, students were very excited to pick out their own supplies. “I just like to see the kids get what they need to go to school and their smiles when they get it,” said Laura Harbaugh.
SCHOOL-news--Teresa-Dardane
Pictured are volunteers Jen Harbaugh, Don Clabaugh, Pat Plum, Timothy Bentz, Fran Hennessy, and Paige Sweeney.