History in the Making: Blacksmith Workshop Series

Step into the forge and experience the timeless art of blacksmithing in this hands-on, three-part workshop series. Designed for beginners, the program introduces participants to the seven fundamental techniques of the trade—drawing out, upsetting, cutting/slitting, bending, twisting, punching, and forge welding—through practical, take-home projects. Students will explore both the historical and modern sides of blacksmithing, working with our historic coal forge as well as experimenting with a propane forge.
Each session builds skills through guided projects:
Session One (Saturday, May 30): Learn the essentials of safety, terminology, and fire management while practicing cutting, bending, and drawing tapers. Project: S-hooks or drive-hooks.
Session Two (Saturday, June 13): Advance to twisting and punching techniques while creating Christmas ornaments or more complex S-hooks.
Session Three (Saturday, June 27): Discover the techniques of forge welding and upsetting, while reinforcing prior skills. Project: Fire pokers.
By the end of the series, participants will not only take home their own handmade ironwork but also gain a deeper appreciation of blacksmithing’s enduring role in history.
Registration covers all three sessions as well as the cost of materials. Space is extremely limited to 3 participants per time slot, so reserve your spot today
Requirements: This is an adults-only class. For safety, participants must wear long pants, boots (steel toes not required), and only natural fibers or leather—no synthetics. Leather work gloves and ANSI Z87.1-rated safety glasses are required.