Chromite is Officially Declared Maryland's State Mineral!

Over the past 25 years, there have been intermittent attempts to get chromite, first mined in the United States in Maryland in the early 1800s, named as Maryland's state mineral. An initial effort, launched in 2000 by mining historian Johnny Johnsson of Finksburg, was unsuccessful. But that might be because David Shore had not yet been born.

From an early age, David held an almost fanatical obsession for rocks, asking his mother, Marci Robinson of Silver Spring, to drive him to multiple sites around the state and beyond -- anywhere he could learn more about geology. Robinson agreed to drive him anywhere to indulge his passion, as long as the location was within an hour of home, with a few exceptions.

Nine-year-old David Shore discusses rock formations with Dr. Wayne Tyndall at Soldiers Delight August 1, 2016

When David was nine in 2016, he visited Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area in Owings Mills for the first time and was accompanied on a hike by renowned Soldiers Delight ecologist and historian, R. Wayne Tyndall, PhD. Dr. Tyndall was awestruck by young David's enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge, and was happy to indulge his own passion for sharing information about the unique habitat that Tyndall has made his life's work. David soaked it all up like a sponge.

Nine-year-old David Shore hoists a heavy chromite rock on a mine history hike led by volunteer ranger and mining historian Johnny Johnsson on October 30, 2016

In October of that year, at Dr. Tyndall's recommendation, David attended a mine history hike, led by mining historian Johnny Johnsson, to the Choate chromium mine at Soldiers Delight, which was first operated by Isaac Tyson in 1830. That is likely when David solidified his love for all things chromite.

The following year, young David, at ten years old, enlisted the assistance of Del. William C. “Bill” Frick (D-Montgomery) to help him get a bill passed naming chromite the state's mineral, citing its historical significance, uniqueness and relevance to state history. Frick introduced David to Ashlie Bagwell, a lobbyist with Harris Jones & Malone. Bagwell was so taken with young David's enthusiasm that she offered her services pro bono. David approached Soldiers Delight Conservation, Inc. (SDCI), the friends group for Soldiers Delight NEA, and asked us to write a letter in support of his effort, which we were happy to do. Sen. Craig Zucker sponsored the initial effort in the Senate in 2017, but the bill died in committee, as so many bills do.

In 2025, eight years later and now 18, David Shore decided the time was right to try again. David approached Bagwell and again asked her to help him. She happily obliged. Once again, he enlisted the help of Del. Zucker, now chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Capital Budget Subcommittee, who wrote the new bill. David approached SDCI, and we wrote another letter in support of David's effort. He convinced Del. Marc Korman, chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, to sponsor the bill in the House.

On March 13, David testified before the Senate in Annapolis. He borrowed a chromite sample from SDCI, which he passed around among the congressmembers so they could feel the weight of a "heavy metal." The Senate became the first chamber to move the bill. The following week, the bill went to the House where that chamber’s version was also passed out of committee.

David Shore shakes hands with Governor Moore as the chromite bill is signed into law May 14, 2025 (photo courtesy of Bryan Sears)

On May 13, 2025, Governor Wes Moore signed young David's chromite bill into law, to go into effect on June 1st. Once again, David borrowed a chromite sample from SDCI so that the governor of Maryland could hold the rock in his hands and feel the weight of the young man's effort (and the chromite) as he signed the document.

The following day, David was due to return the borrowed chromite sample to Lynell Tobler, Vice President of SDCI. Tobler concocted a plan. Mining historian Johnny Johnsson had offered to gift a large chromite sample to David to congratulate his efforts to get the chromite bill passed. But Johnsson lived a long way from David's home in Silver Spring. What if Johnsson brought the chromite sample to Tobler's circa 1862 farmhouse in Owings Mills, just down the street from Soldiers Delight NEA, on the same day that David was set to return the chromite sample he had borrowed? Johnsson agreed, and suddenly the idea for a small reception to honor David's efforts was born.

Gathered in SDCI vice president Lynell Tobler's living room to honor David Shore are, from left, Lynell Tobler, Dawn Johnsson, Johnny Johnsson, Laura Van Scoyoc, David Shore, Wayne Tyndall and Hannah Byron

SDCI board members swung into action. Appetizers were prepared. David's mother baked a "chromite" cake, frosted with dark sparkly sprinkles that bore an eerie resemblance to chrome sands. Champagne and sparkling cider were served. Even Hanna Tyson Lee Byron, the great, great, great, great, great granddaughter of the Choate mine's owner, Isaac Tyson, attended the reception to congratulate David.

Mining Historian Johnny Johnsson gifted a 98-pound chromite rock from his personal collection to David Shore during a reception in David's honor on May 14, 2025

The unveiling of the gifted chromite sample took place on Tobler's front porch. Young David hoisted the 98-pound rock as if it was weightless, the expression on his face one of pure joy. He had just been gifted a magnificent sample of chromite ore. His decade-long effort had finally paid off. His bill to get chromite declared the state mineral was passed -- and becomes law today, June 1, 2025. Congratulations, David!