Frederick Biz Buzz, 1.25.2018
Forged in Steel
By Mary Ellen Brady
It would be easy to drive right by The William F. Moran Jr. Museum and Foundation as it is located near a nondescript corner on a two-lane country road at the outskirts of Middletown MD. Just a small white building, bigger than a shed but smaller than a barn, and rarely open to visitors. But if you drive by you miss the chance to take a look at the workplace and museum of the man who has been described as the most influential bladesmith and knife maker of the 20th Century.
The shop, located in Middletown at 4246 Old National Pike, is officially called the William F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation, which is a long and fancy title for a simple guy who took great pride in his craft. In Middletown lore it is referred to as the “old blacksmith shop”, but in reality it is a working forge and a teaching center where interested people can learn the nearly lost art of forging steel and iron into world class knives and other metal objects .
Bill Moran was born in 1925 to a dairy farming family in Maryland, but dairy farming was not something Bill enjoyed. What interested him was working with his hands and working with metals. He started out as a blacksmith as a young man and then later taught himself pattern welding and the skills to create a forged blade. However, no living bladesmith knew the exact techniques and, without a recipe for the process, it was in danger of being lost. But through trial and error Bill taught himself pattern welding and referred to it as Damascus steel because the skill is based on techniques that date back to antiquity. By the 1950s he was one of the last few bladesmiths in the United States, forging his metal as opposed to grinding blades out of stock.
Bill continued to revive the ancient process of forging Damascus steel in the late 1960s. He started the William F. Moran School of Bladesmithing in the late 60s. In 1972, Moran was elected president of the Knifemakers' Guild.
Moran was reluctant at first to showcase his wares at knife shows, but at his first knife show he sold out every knife in 30 minutes. Bill never patented his work. Instead, he passed out instructions at knife shows that explained his technique because he wanted other people to know the same satisfaction he knew in creating a unique product. His knives are occasionally offered for sale online, but very seldom, and only if there are several knives of a particular type available in inventory. His knives sell in the thousands of dollars and, shortly after his death in 2006, a bowie knife he made sold at auction for $30,000. He died in 2006.
The museum, built in 1961, consists of a working forge on the lower level and an upstairs museum and gallery that displays some of Bill’s knives, many of which considered works of art. Aso on display is one of the few swords Bill made, along with family pictures of Bill and his wife Margaret.
Bill was always something of a local character who enjoyed a good joke. As a kid, he did not like school. Moran Foundation President Robert Wilson likes to tell the story about Bill managing to find a skunk to spray him before he went to school because he knew he’d be dismissed and could get back to his forge. Over the years as Bill honed his craft word started getting out about his superb blade making, and he started publishing a catalog. A famous actor saw the catalog back in the 60s and decide to buy a knife.
At that point Bill had a two-year waiting list, but was finally persuaded to sell the knife to the actor provided the next person on his waiting list agreed to the sale. He agreed. Several years later the same actor wanted to buy a second knife and didn’t want to wait two years to buy it, but Bill was adamant that a waiting list is a waiting list. The actor told Bill I can make you famous and rich beyond your wildest dreams. But Bill was not impressed, saying I’m already pretty well known around here and I have all the money I need, so I’m afraid you go to the bottom of the waiting list like everybody else.
Today the foundation has 200 members and is in the process of increasing the teaching opportunities available at the facility, believing metal work is an important part of the growing trend toward home based crafts and other handmade items as opposed to those that are mass produced. Starting in 2018 the foundation intends to open up the facility at least once a month to school groups, scout troops and other interested parties for teaching and demonstration purposes, according to the Robert Wilson.
The William F. Moran Jr. Museum and Foundation, 4246 Old National Pike, Middletown, MD 21769, 240 344 3573, hours currently by appointment.
The Spirit of Barbara Fritchie’s Restaurant Lives On
Mary Ellen Mitchell
Fredericktonian’s are bemoaning the closing of the iconic Barbara Fritchie’s Restaurant earlier this month. The place opened in 1910 and generations would go to experience its classic diner food.
The spirit of community was evident in a flurry of Facebook posts when the news came down that the place was closing quickly. Seeds of Life’s Farmer Mike Dickson got a call from his buddy John Burner, who owned the restaurant. If you know Farmer Mike, you know he likes to help those in need – and so he volunteered to use his social media contacts to help out a friend. “ I know he got lots of calls, once the word was out”, said Dickson. “I was glad to speed up the process for connecting good people.”
Terri Rowe of Maryland Bakes visited the kitchen at Barbara Fritchie and was able to purchase a few items for the use of her clients. Rowe operates a community based commercial kitchen whose members are caterers, bakers and personal chefs. “ I was so glad to be able to purchase some quality items for the benefit of my team. It warms my heart to think of all the love that Barbara Fritchie served up for so long becoming part of our tradition.”
The staff of downtown’s Serendipity Market responded to the news on Facebook and made contact with the restaurant. They were able to pick up a wood and glass display cabinet that will soon hold treasures in the market.
Guy Mutchler, manager of facilities for the Frederick Rescue Mission was honored to get a call from Fritchie’s John Burner. The food pantry from the restaurant was donated to the mission which serves up 350 meals a day to its clients and neighbors. “ We picked up a cargo van full of supplies.”, declared Mutchler, “including nearly a ton of canned food.”
Mutchler noted that the mission uses 2 million pounds of food a year and serves over 34.000 families per year in its food distribution center. “This donation will serve the needs of the community and nothing will go to waste.”, he said.
Bye Barbara Fritchie, we are sad to see you close, but content in knowing parts of your legacy will continue on.
Renovations Start on Barbara Fritchie House
By Katherine Heerbrandt
The new owners of the historic Barbara Fritchie House got to work immediately after closing on the property on Jan. 12. Bryan and Charlotte Chaney plan to open the House at 154 W. Patrick St. in April as an Air BnB, available for overnight rentals. Follow along with renovations on youtube here.
When the Chaneys began their renovation of the kitchen, they discovered some beautiful brick underneath the old plaster, according to the Chaneys’ marketing representative, Gina Opatovsky. Local contractor Anthony Owens is removing all the plaster around the chimney area and what will be the new dining room.
The Chaneys met with a former docent of the Barbara Fritchie House to learn more about the history and to help maintain the authenticity of its history, Opatovsky said in an email.
“This house belongs to Frederick and we are excited that we will be able to share this little piece of Civil War history with the community (and I guess the country) by having guests actually living in it for a few days,” Bryan Chaney said in an earlier press release.
Renovation plans include a small kitchen; an expanded bathroom with shower; new HVAC. and upgraded electrical work. Because the house is located within the Frederick Historical district, no changes will be made to the exterior.
“Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, but spare your country’s flag” were the famous words Barbara Fritchie shouted at Stonewall Jackson and his troops as they dragged the Union flag through the streets of Frederick, according to John Greenleaf Whittier’s The Ballad of Barbara Fritchie. According to legend, Fritchie proudly waved her thirty-four starred American Flag out her second-floor window as the Confederate troops marched past her home.
Historians dispute the legend. Local videographer and historian Chris Haugh said in this 2012 article that Fritchie’s neighbor is the true heroine of the tale: “Both women were real-life residents of Frederick, but when it comes to Whittier’s poem, Mary Quantrell was the real-life heroine."
Charlotte Chaney said, however, that in meeting with the house’s former docent, she discovered that regardless of the controversy, the house is still significant. “We learned it actually is the house, and one of the bedrooms is the actual window where her [Fritchie] head supposedly came out.”
For more information please contact Gina Opatovsky, Marketing Coordinator, Chaneygang LLC 301.237.6698
“Inspired by the Masters" Exhibit Opens
Originality in fine art and photography is on display at an exhibition of works by fourteen invited artists inspired by Cezanne’s iconic painting, “Woman with a Coffee Pot” at The ArtistAngle Gallery at 124 S. Carroll Street in Frederick. The exhibit runs from January 6th through February 17th. An opening reception will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The concept is a collaboration between Rebecca LaChance of Rebecca LaChance Art & Photography and Jennifer Finley, owner of The ArtistsAngle Gallery.
“I deliberately selected this painting by Impressionist, Paul Cezanne because his works generate strong feelings among artists and viewers,” LaChance says. “Woman with a Coffee Pot is said to be one of Cezanne’s most monumental works.”
New York Artist, Adam Marelli will give a talk at the gallery on January 11th from 7 to 9 p.m. entitled: “The Myths, Half-Truths, and Convoluted Road to Becoming an Artist.” Marelli will share his own development experiences as an artist as well as historical accounts of famous artists who failed multiple times before succeeding. [Pictured left, artist Gillian Grozier's "Girl With an Apple." Pictured below, Lisa Sheirer's "Woman with a Coffee Head"]
Marelli is also a cultural photographer and lecturer at New York University. He is currently working with the city of Matera, Italy as part of the UNESCO Cultural Capital Program for 2019. This event marks the first in a five month series of talks on art and artists at The Artist Angle Gallery beginning in March, 2018. More information and tickets can be purchased at artistnanglegallery.com.
Going out of Business
A spate of local business closings in the New Year include Gravel & Grind, a bike and coffee shop opened in 2015 in downtown Frederick; consignment stores Chic to Chic and Echo Consignment, and restaurants Alexanders’ Restaurant and Rex’s Downtown Grill.
Chic to Chic Consignment Boutique
30 E. Patrick St., Frederick, MD
After 10 years, Chic to Chic is closing its downtown Frederick location, and offering 60 percent off most of its Frederick inventory. Chic to Chic is consolidating efforts and concentrating on its main location at 15900 Luanne Dr., Gaithersburg. “We can’t wait to share some of the sensational new things we have in store for our Chic World,” reads a sign on the shop’s door.
Echo Consignments
Prospect Plaza 415 S. Jefferson St., Frederick, MD
Family-owned Echo Consignments is also closing at the end of the month. Elizabeth LeBlanc and Kate Felton took to Facebook to tell patrons they are moving on after five years. They, too, are offering big savings through the end of the month:
“We'll be around until the end of the month so pop in and grab some goodies- we'll be having huge sales! Don't you worry, we'll still have all our fun events, still be working to help others and still be a vital part of the Frederick community!”
Gravel & Grind
124 S. Carroll St., Frederick, MD 21701
The unique bicycle and coffee is closing at the end of January and you can get big savings, 40 percent off most stuff in the store, until Jan. 28. Sale applies to websales as well. From the Facebook page: “We have a TON of stock, so email or call if you think we might have something not listed on the website. Maybe 10% of our inventory is online.”
G&G was featured in Food & Wine magazine, and named one of
Owners James Johnson and Tracy Hathaway are moving out of Frederick, according to the store’s website:
“Gravel & Grind will be closing its retail space at the end of January. We’ll continue to have a web site after that, and you’ll be able to redeem gift cards on the website. If you are in the market for a rad custom bike, the bike portion of Gravel & Grind has been reborn as Analog Cycles. https://www.analogcycles.com.
From now until May, if you have a bike that Gravel & Grind built, and you need it serviced, bring it to James at Analog and he’ll help ya out. In May, Analog is pulling up its Frederick roots and moving to Vermont, the land of dirt roads. Tracy is heading north as well, to live on the edge of a huge lake in a tiny house, growing peaches and grapes on her family farm. Gravel & Grind was a long, strange and wonderful trip. Thank you for coming along for the ride.”
Restaurant Closings
Alexanders Restaurant in Historic Buckeystown
3619 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown, MD 21717
Closed on Jan. 1, 2018 after eight years of operation, Alexanders, according to its website, “… was the vision of Mr. Alexander “Sandy” Lankler. He created a restaurant that offered elegant dining in a beautiful yet quaint southern setting at reasonable prices … Alexanders is located in the former Catoctin Inn, which was built in 1890. The property will be listed by Tyler-Donegan-Duncan Real Estate Services.”
“We would like to thank all of our loyal customers and certainly our staff, our Chef Chris Smallwood and our manager Ann Kimmel who have been there from the beginning for their dedicated work. We will be honoring any outstanding gift cards for 45 days, please contact us through email at alexandersllc@comcast.net.
Rex’s Downtown Grill
57 E. Patrick St., Frederick, MD
The Deli Restaurant, an iconic presence downtown for over 30 years, was ultimately replaced by Rex’s Downtown Grill, and was quickly embraced by former Deli patrons.
Owners announced the Dec. 23 closing on social media. “After three wonderful years in downtown Frederick, we will be closing our doors permanently Saturday Dec. 23. We genuinely thank each and every person from the bottom of our hearts, from our incredibly loyal guests to our amazing staff. It has been a pleasure being part of this awesome community and look forward to seeing you around town...or on the golf course!!”
