Forging Independence: Oxford Iron Works and the American Revolution

Oxford Furnace, located in present-day Campbell and Appomattox counties, was one of the largest suppliers of iron to the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Producing approximately 1,600 tons of pig iron each year, the operation depended heavily on the labor of enslaved African Americans. Keith Harvey will explore the stories of Patriots, Loyalists, and enslaved people whose lives intersected at this vital industrial site, highlighting the often forgotten industry and its contributions to American independence.

Keith Harvey is an author and historian who currently serves as Museum Experience Leader for the Lynchburg Museum System and Treasurer for the Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation Society. He has also worked for the National Park Service and the American Civil War Museum - Appomattox.