(Mods...sorry if this doesn't fit the criteria for this forum)  

Howdy, all.  For the last ten years I've volunteered at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in Fort Calhoun, NE.  The reconstructed fort interprets the original garrison from 1819/1820.  For the last year I've been serving as an apprentice in the blacksmiths' shop.  The walls of this forge are built on the exact footprint of one of the six original forging structures (which included ferriers, blacksmiths, armorers, etc.).  In fact, the forge and two anvils sit on the exact spots they did in the 1820's.  We continue to manufacture all of the hardware, implements, etc. use at the site. I snapped a few bad cell phone pictures of one of our recent weekends.  I've also posted a pic of a roughed out friction folder I forged during that weekend (see "Friction Folder Pair Buildalong").  


The blacksmithing/tinsmithing building:






Ignore the black stove pipe!

The south wall of the garrison:




My quarters:






Breakfast!

Now that looks like fun!!

Now that looks like fun!!

Dido on that we need to go see this set-up

A very special place!  Great you can participate!  

Steve
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Potomac Forge

That's is too cool! I love that kind of thing. I would enjoy participating in that!

Chris

You are indeed fortunate to have such a site available to you. I love it. I work in a place that's similar and will be forging tomorrow in a 1820 era timber framed blacksmith shop. I notice your anvil is later than the shop, but I know they are hard to find from that period in working shape. Ours is circa 1810 but difficult to use for some things. I've gotten used to it somewhat but wish we could get a new colonial pattern cast. Enjoy. Thanks for showing us.

Here's our anvil top view. It has a pritchel but no cutting shelf.
 

Very keen eye, Lin!  The two anvils we have were in fair shape when we received them.  With some careful and patient work, they've been given new life.       If memory serves me, I think they're from the late 1830's.  I'm no expert and you'd be a better judge than I.

I keep going back and looking at the pics. I just love it.

Really neat looking place!

Allan

   

Oh man, that's definitely on the agenda next trip down 29! Cool stuff Curt.

That is the original "Man Cave!"

QuoteOriginally posted by GWV:
That is the original "Man Cave!"

I think that sums it up.
X2,and heavy on the MAN!

Here's a couple more pictures I dug up.  I'm the goon in the red cap and funny clothes!  Also, ignore the non-period implements.  We've got a little cleaning to do.  

Excellent! Thanks for the pics. I saw a reconstructed shop in Mystic,CT and it was hard to walk away from even in the sweltering heat. Very interesting.

I still think it's great. I like the hats.