Blacksmith Shop

Our Blacksmith Shop is an informal organization. These folks operate the site’s well supplied blacksmith shop and heritage machine shop. Many of them also volunteer at Fort Vancouver’s Blacksmith Shop. They are always willing to help teach those interested in learning about blacksmithing. Email the smiths or check the shop schedule below to see when they’ll be at the forge.

BLACKSMITH SHOP at POWERLAND

It can be stated that virtually all of our tools, machines, engines, and horseless carriages originated in the blacksmith's shop. Many skilled trades have evolved from basic historic blacksmithing - welding and auto mechanics, being well recognized examples.

Many prominent inventors of the past started their careers as blacksmiths. Early in life, they would enter the smithing trade. Skills would be developed, and ideas and concepts evolved. Eventually innovation and invention would follow.

Examples are many! John Deere started his career in 1837 as a blacksmith. After moving to the mid-West to work as a blacksmith, he undertook the improvement of the plow and then went forward to design a host of innovative productive farm implements.

The blacksmith shop at Powerland authentically reflects the allure and the finesse of the trade and its broad contributions. Paul Hinds and Harry Robinson were both instrumental in the development of blacksmithing at Powerland. Paul actually made forges, revealed by initials to be found on metalwork. They also engaged Northwest Blacksmiths Association members to assist with development, demonstrations and activities.

It is interesting that Powerland Heritage Park's partner organizations represent a variety of specialized industries, all of which would have relied on the skilled work of blacksmiths and machinists.