Jesse Morningstar, the patriarch of the metalworking business, started circa 1850, over 175 years ago, in Frederick County, MD. Morningstar Welding credits its longevity to its commitment to craftsmanship, hard work, and business practices rooted in honesty and integrity.
Morningstar Welding has been a family-owned business operating at the same location in Poolesville, Maryland, for over 117 years.
“The Shop,” a family moniker, is the oldest continuously run business in the town of Poolesville.
Morningstar Welding was formerly known as Morningstar Blacksmith Shop. Murrel “Mike” Morningstar opened his shop at 17612 Elgin Road circa 1908. The original building was a weatherboard structure later rebuilt in 1947 as a cinder block building, which is still used today.
Murrel was the town smithy and based his income mainly on farrier services and wagon and wagon wheel building. Murrel had a 9-foot square forge with a hand blower that his son, Dick, would operate for him. Dick recalled, as a child having to stand on a box to crank it! Murrel worked ten-hour days, six days a week, in front of the forge and anvil.
He rarely had to leave his property as the horses and wagons were brought to him. It was a hard life, but his home was located on the property, so he was never too far from his family. He died in his shop on July 22, 1954, of a heart attack at age 69. Murrel was well respected by all and an integral part of the Poolesville and surrounding area community his entire life. His anvil still remains on the property as a symbol and testament to the man and his trade.
Murrel discouraged Dick (Richard) from entering the blacksmithing business. Not only was it a hard life, he told Dick, but it was also a dying industry becoming one for mostly horse racing and pleasure riders.
Dick saw an opportunity in the welding business, and his sister, Dorothy, bought him his first welder in 1952. This welder is also a surviving family relic on the shop property. Dick was self-taught and began primarily working on farm equipment when it was suggested he take his business on the road and enter the commercial construction business.
With a name change to Morningstar Welding in 1960, he bought his first portable welder and entered the lucrative world of erecting buildings and high-rises. He was known to travel as far as Ocean City, Maryland, but mainly worked within a one-hundred-mile radius of Poolesville.
Morningstar Welding participated in the building boom in the Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia region. They subcontracted with the largest construction companies in the tri-state area. Dick, however, never forgot the farmers and locals and always made time to fix and repair the odds and ends that came into the shop at all hours (undercharging many times, if at all).
Dick’s accounting practices were epically antiquated, as he remembered the day and wrote down his jobs in a spiral notebook at 10:00 at night. Being a family business, his sister, Bet, deciphered his notes and sent out the bills, and then later, his wife, Nancy, became the bookkeeper. He billed local farmers once a year with no interest.
It was an “old school Poolesville” business practice that worked beautifully. Gerry, a Rockville city engineer, and his brother also participated in the business, pricing jobs and reading blueprints. Morningstar Welding did experience growth, and Dick brought in employees, including his son Patrick, as well as local and not-so-local boys, to whom he taught the trade, as well as fair business ethics and the rewards of hard work.
Dick, like his father, worked 10-12 hour days, 6 days a week, for well over half a century; Dick and his wife Nancy enjoyed retirement in Florida until his death on April 1, 2014.
In 2006, Dick handed the reins over to Patrick, who continues the family business tradition today. It’s doubtful a day goes by that an old timer does not mention the integrity and work ethics of Murrel or Dick, for which grandson/son Patrick carries this torch and continues the legacy.
He has grown Morningstar Welding into a six-truck and twelve-employee operation with his wife, Karri, as a full-time office manager and his son, Kyle, as the project manager. Their 40-foot x 80-foot building houses all the latest and greatest metal fabricating equipment. “The Shop” today does a lot of in-house fabrication and site installation, but Patrick also caters to the walk-in locals.
He has expanded the business and finds himself less behind the torch and more behind the desk. Patrick is the fifth generation in a line of those who have engaged in the business of iron and steel, whether blacksmithing or welding.
When asked how it feels to be part of a continuous 170-year family tradition, he exclaims, “Look how far we’ve come!”
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Morningstar Welding has been a family-owned business operating at the same location in Poolesville, Maryland, for over 116 years.
“The Shop,” a family moniker, is the oldest continuously run business in the town of Poolesville. The Morningstar family, however, has been in the metalworking business for over 170 years with beginnings in Frederick County, Maryland circa 1850. Morningstar Welding credits its longevity to its commitment to craftsmanship, hard work, and business practices that are based on honesty and integrity.
Morningstar Welding was formerly known as Morningstar Blacksmith Shop. Murrel “Mike” Morningstar opened his shop at 17612 Elgin Road circa 1908. The original building was a weatherboard structure later rebuilt in 1947 as a cinder block building, which is still used today. Murrel was the town smithy and based his income mainly on farrier services and wagon and wagon wheel building. Murrel had a 9-foot square forge with a hand blower that his son, Dick, would operate for him. Dick recalled, as a child having to stand on a box to crank it! Murrel worked ten-hour days, six days a week, in front of the forge and anvil. He rarely had to leave his property as the horses and wagons were brought to him. It was a hard life, but his home was located on the property, so he was never too far from his family. He died in his shop on July 22, 1954, of a heart attack at age 69. Murrel was well respected by all and an integral part of the Poolesville and surrounding area community his entire life. His anvil still remains on the property as a symbol and testament to the man and his trade.
Murrel discouraged Dick (Richard) from entering the blacksmithing business. Not only was it a hard life, he told Dick, but it was also a dying industry, becoming one for mostly horse racing and pleasure riders. Dick saw an opportunity in the welding business, and his sister, Dorothy, bought him his first welder in 1952. This welder is also a surviving family relic on the shop property. Dick was self-taught and began primarily working on farm equipment when it was suggested he take his business on the road and enter the commercial construction business. With a name change to Morningstar Welding in 1960, he bought his first portable welder and entered the lucrative world of erecting buildings and high-rises. He was known to travel as far as Ocean City, Maryland, but mainly worked within a one-hundred-mile radius of Poolesville.
Morningstar Welding participated in the building boom in the Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia region. They subcontracted with the largest construction companies in the tri-state area. Dick, however, never forgot the farmers and locals and always made time to fix and repair the odds and ends that came into the shop at all hours (undercharging many times, if at all). Dick’s accounting practices were epically antiquated, as he remembered the day and wrote down his jobs in a spiral notebook at 10:00 at night. Being a family business, his sister, Bet, deciphered his notes and sent out the bills, and then later, his wife, Nancy, became the bookkeeper. He billed local farmers once a year with no interest. It was an “old school Poolesville” business practice that worked beautifully. Gerry, a Rockville city engineer, and his brother also participated in the business, pricing jobs and reading blueprints. Morningstar Welding did experience growth, and Dick brought in employees, including his son Patrick, as well as local and not-so-local boys, to whom he taught the trade, as well as fair business ethics and the rewards of hard work.
Dick, like his father, worked 10-12 hour days, 6 days a week, for well over half a century; Dick and his wife Nancy enjoyed retirement in Florida until his death on April 1, 2014.
In 2006, Dick handed the reins over to Patrick, who continues the family business tradition today. It’s doubtful a day goes by that an old timer does not mention the integrity and work ethics of Murrel or Dick, for which grandson/son Patrick carries this torch and continues the legacy. He has grown Morningstar Welding into a six-truck and twelve-employee operation with his wife, Karri, as a full-time office manager and his son, Kyle, as the project manager. Their 40-foot x 80-foot building houses all the latest and greatest metal fabricating equipment. “The Shop” today does a lot of in-house fabrication and site installation, but Patrick also caters to the walk-in locals. He has expanded the business and finds himself less behind the torch and more behind the desk. Patrick is the fifth generation in a line of those who have engaged in the business of iron and steel, whether blacksmithing or welding.
When asked how it feels to be part of a continuous 170-year family tradition, he exclaims, “Look how far we’ve come!”
Morningstar Welding, a family-owned business in Poolesville, MD, has delivered expert metalwork for 116+ years. Trusted for quality, integrity, and craftsmanship.
Morningstar Welding leverages advanced technology and cutting-edge equipment for precision metal fabrication and expert welding services.
Morningstar Welding delivers skilled craftsmanship with expert precision, blending traditional techniques with modern metalworking excellence.
Morningstar Welding ensures top-tier quality assurance with meticulous attention to detail, advanced techniques, and reliable metal fabrication.
Morningstar Welding has been a family-owned business operating at the same location in Poolesville, Maryland, for over 116 years.
“The Shop,” a family moniker, is the oldest continuously run business in the town of Poolesville. The Morningstar family, however, has been in the metalworking business for over 170 years with beginnings in Frederick County, Maryland circa 1850. Morningstar Welding credits its longevity to its commitment to craftsmanship, hard work, and business practices that are based on honesty and integrity.
Morningstar Welding was formerly known as Morningstar Blacksmith Shop. Murrel “Mike” Morningstar opened his shop at 17612 Elgin Road circa 1908. The original building was a weatherboard structure later rebuilt in 1947 as a cinder block building, which is still used today. Murrel was the town smithy and based his income mainly on farrier services and wagon and wagon wheel building. Murrel had a 9-foot square forge with a hand blower that his son, Dick, would operate for him. Dick recalled, as a child having to stand on a box to crank it! Murrel worked ten-hour days, six days a week, in front of the forge and anvil. He rarely had to leave his property as the horses and wagons were brought to him. It was a hard life, but his home was located on the property, so he was never too far from his family. He died in his shop on July 22, 1954, of a heart attack at age 69. Murrel was well respected by all and an integral part of the Poolesville and surrounding area community his entire life. His anvil still remains on the property as a symbol and testament to the man and his trade.
Murrel discouraged Dick (Richard) from entering the blacksmithing business. Not only was it a hard life, he told Dick, but it was also a dying industry becoming one for mostly horse racing and pleasure riders. Dick saw an opportunity in the welding business, and his sister, Dorothy, bought him his first welder in 1952. This welder is also a surviving family relic on the shop property. Dick was self-taught and began primarily working on farm equipment when it was suggested he take his business on the road and enter the commercial construction business. With a name change to Morningstar Welding in 1960, he bought his first portable welder and entered the lucrative world of erecting buildings and high-rises. He was known to travel as far as Ocean City, Maryland, but mainly worked within a one-hundred-mile radius of Poolesville.
Morningstar Welding participated in the building boom in the Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia region. They subcontracted with the largest construction companies in the tri-state area. Dick, however, never forgot the farmers and locals and always made time to fix and repair the odds and ends that came into the shop at all hours (undercharging many times, if at all). Dick’s accounting practices were epically antiquated, as he remembered the day and wrote down his jobs in a spiral notebook at 10:00 at night. Being a family business, his sister, Bet, deciphered his notes and sent out the bills, and then later, his wife, Nancy, became the bookkeeper. He billed local farmers once a year with no interest. It was an “old school Poolesville” business practice that worked beautifully. Gerry, a Rockville city engineer, and his brother also participated in the business, pricing jobs and reading blueprints. Morningstar Welding did experience growth, and Dick brought in employees, including his son Patrick, as well as local and not-so-local boys, to whom he taught the trade, as well as fair business ethics and the rewards of hard work.
Dick, like his father, worked 10-12 hour days, 6 days a week, for well over half a century; Dick and his wife Nancy enjoyed retirement in Florida until his death on April 1, 2014.
In 2006, Dick handed the reins over to Patrick, who continues the family business tradition today. It’s doubtful a day goes by that an old timer does not mention the integrity and work ethics of Murrel or Dick, for which grandson/son Patrick carries this torch and continues the legacy. He has grown Morningstar Welding into a six-truck and twelve-employee operation with his wife, Karri, as a full-time office manager and his son, Kyle, as the project manager. Their 40-foot x 80-foot building houses all the latest and greatest metal fabricating equipment. “The Shop” today does a lot of in-house fabrication and site installation, but Patrick also caters to the walk-in locals. He has expanded the business and finds himself less behind the torch and more behind the desk. Patrick is the fifth generation in a line of those who have engaged in the business of iron and steel, whether blacksmithing or welding.
When asked how it feels to be part of a continuous 170-year family tradition, he exclaims, “Look how far we’ve come!”
To set the standard in the industry by combining tradition, innovation, and dedication, ensuring exceptional results for every customer we serve.
To lead in fabricating and welding across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, delivering unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and customer-focused service.
Experience exceptional quality and craftsmanship with welding services designed to deliver precision, durability, and unmatched attention to detail.
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