Doug Bast Boonsboro Historian

Douglas Garns Bast is a local legend.  Born to a locally significant family, Doug has lived in Boonsboro all his life and has been collecting and documenting its history since he was a boy. He is an expert on the history of Boonsboro, as well as many other topics such as the Civil War. His museum, the Boonesborough Museum of History, founded in 1974, is quirky and interesting and absolutely chocked full of historical artifacts that only scratch the surface of his collections. An effort is currently underway to preserve these artifacts for generations to come.

Both sides of Doug’s family originated from Germany and came to the United States around the 1760s; his mother’s side settling in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area and his father’s ancestors farming in Frederick County, Maryland.

In 1888, William F. Bast, Doug’s great grandfather, apprenticed with John Christian Brining at his cabinet maker shop.  Around the turn of the century, William bought the business. After his death, William’s sons, John and Gerald (Doug’s father), continued the combined operation, offering both furniture and funeral services.

During the 1960’s, the two businesses were separated. Gerald and Doug took over the furniture store while John and his son John Jr. (also known as Bud) continued operating the funeral home. Bast Furniture operated on Main Street for 174 years before closing in 2011, likely the longest operating furniture store in Maryland.

We interviewed Doug at the museum at 113 N. Main Street in Boonsboro.  Suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, Doug struggles physically and also sometimes to recall details.  We began to record some of his thoughts and memories and hope to do more in time.  Along for the interview was George Messner, President of the Boonsboro Historical Society, who is heard on the clip about the Civil War indicating the overlooked importance of Boonsboro in the war.

**Update – Doug Bast passed away on March 4, 2021 at the age of 83. 

Pick audio clips of Doug’s memories regarding the family business, local history and the Civil War below OR just continue listening as each clip will play one after another.

Be sure to turn up the volume on your speakers/computer.