Many Muirkirk residents work for government agencies such as NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the Food and Drug Administration and the headquarters of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

After the conflict began, the US government hired a manager from the North, Charles Coffin, to ensure the works were kept under federal control.

[3] Around 1885, the estate of landowner Mark Duvall, who owned considerable property in the Vansville area, provided for the sale of 28.5 acres (115,000 m2) just east of Queen's Chapel.

The twelve lots made available were quickly settled by African Americans, many of whom worked at nearby Muirkirk Furnace.

[3] Charles H. Stanley of Laurel sold 25 acres (100,000 m2) of land to blacks in Rossville, as documented with the Maryland Historical Trust.