Douglas Garns Bast, Museum Founder

March 13, 1937 – March 4, 2021

Doug Bast was the third generation family member to own and operate the furniture store, Bast of Boonsboro. Founded as a cabinet shop in 1837, it operated 174 years until Doug retired. His real love, however, was the Boonsborough Museum of History he founded and operated for 46 years.

The museum is witness to Doug’s lifelong discovery and preservation of artifacts from almost every conceivable segment of our planet’s history. His American Civil War collection is especially celebrated. Doug became known as “Boonsboro’s Historian” and was instrumental in helping establish the Boonsboro Historical Society and its Annual Boonesborough Days festival. He was active in the Washington Co. Historical Society, the Rural Heritage Museum and served on the Washington County Historical Advisory Committee. In 2012 he co-authored a book on Boonsboro. He was always available to assist in explaining some facet of history, folklore and antique appraisal. And he enjoyed nothing more than conducting tours of his beloved museum.

In 2018 he formed a non-profit organization to ensure the museum continues to delight and inform visitors for years to come.