About Homestead Heritage Forge
We started Heritage Forge in the mid 1980’s and built our current shop in the Homestead Craft Village at Homestead Heritage in 1996.At the Forge, in short, we make tools, knives and a variety of home furnishings; we teach blacksmithing classes; and we give public tours.Stop by for a visit. We’d be more than happy to show you our shop, demonstrate some blacksmithing and discuss metalwork with you.
About Homestead Craft Village
Homestead Craft Village is a collection of fine craft shops, gift shop and cafe in an agricultural setting. For more information about the craft village and our other shops, visit the Homestead Craft Village website.
The QUality
WHY COOSE US
1. Consult
We begin with a personalized consultation to capture your vision and needs.
2. Design
Our experts craft a detailed plan with eco-friendly practices for your approval.
3. Execute
Our skilled team transforms your space with precision and care.
Our Story
History of Blacksmithing
Up until the middle of the 20th century, blacksmiths had an integral role in local agrarian communities. Curling smoke rising from the coal-fired forge was a common sight, and the rhythmic sounds of metal being hammered and shaped were a familiar part of the melody of life in towns and villages throughout the country.
The Blacksmith’s Role in Agriculture
For those whose livelihoods were found in the fields, the blacksmith’s role was crucial. It was here, in local blacksmith shops, that farmers brought every sort of horse drawn implement to be repaired, serviced, modified and sharpened. Blacksmiths prepared plows and harrows for the next planting season, and forged, repaired or sharpened iron tools of all sorts and types. Many blacksmiths were farriers on the side who hammered and shod shoes to protect and give traction to horses that would be traversing the hard, often treacherous roads. The carriages, wagons, and sleighs these horses pulled also found their way into the blacksmith’s shop, where they could be skillfully repaired or modified.
The Blacksmith’s Role in the Homesteading Household
Before industrial mass production, the blacksmith was vital to every homestead — forging the essential tools and hardware that built and sustained daily life. From axes and chains used in construction to hinges, locks, and household implements, nearly every piece of metalwork bore the blacksmith’s mark, supporting everything from homebuilding to farming and cooking.
The Blacksmith as a Toolmaker
The blacksmith’s role as a toolmaker is perhaps one of the more overlooked facets of the trade. In fact, many other craftsmen relied on the blacksmith to craft the tools of their trade. Stonemasons looked to the forge for sharp, hardened chisels they could use to deftly carve architectural stone. Woodworkers of all sorts, including barrel coopers, wagon and wheel wainwrights, and even general carpenters found that nearly all the tools they relied on, came by the hand of a blacksmith.
The Death of A Trade
The Industrial Revolution ended the traditional blacksmith’s vital role in communities. Mass-produced iron goods and mechanized farming made handcrafted tools and horse-related work obsolete. As factories prioritized speed and efficiency, blacksmithing and other tool-making trades faded away — leaving once-busy forges cold and silent by the mid-20th century.
Rebirth of Blacksmithing
The last few decades have witnessed a significant revival of interest in traditional blacksmithing. Schools that emphasize instruction in these traditional trades have begun to spring up in various parts of the country, offering instruction to those who want to experience a piece of the past while learning a valuable and useful skill. This rebirth of interest has found its way into the architectural and design worlds as well, and a growing number of artisan blacksmiths are now able to make a living crafting custom work. Situated here in the midst of the Homestead Heritage community, where horses & mules are still used to plow, disk and mow fields, the blacksmith’s traditional role has been restored as an integral part of village and community life.
Giving Back
Community Involvement
Body Text
Ready to transform your outdoor space?
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our services.