What’s going on at the Blacksmith Shop? Historic crafts — blacksmithing and textile work

Margaret Shaw demonstrating the tape loom

submitted by Annette Siffin

The joy of creating something useful by hand is an experience that is increasingly lost in our busy, digital, everyday world. The Blacksmith Shop, located at 324 E Main St in Manchester, is working to keep that experience alive by demonstrating and teaching historic crafts. It’s a place where you are welcome to sit close up and just watch, or actually have a hands-on experience.

The shop itself was built in 1877 and was active as a blacksmith shop with various owners through 1952. It was purchased by the Manchester Area Historical Society in 1982 but remained mostly dormant except for an annual open house held on Chicken Broil Day. Currently managed by Dave Renner, the shop is now open for visitors on Sundays, with demonstrations, teaching, and the opportunity to try it for yourself! You can read more details about the history of the Blacksmith Shop at the link at the bottom of the article.

New to the shop, in the back of the building, Manchester artist Margaret Shaw has breathed life into a fledgling community interested in historic textile arts. The space has a Union rug loom (identical to the rug loom on display in the Kingsley-Jenter House at 302 E Main St), a tape loom, and spinning wheels. On any given Sunday afternoon, you might come upon someone who is weaving, spinning, knitting, or crocheting. They are hoping to offer classes in knitting, rug hooking, spinning, and weaving in the near future to promote the program, and provide self-sustaining funds. Stay tuned.

As is necessary to truly keep historic skills alive, the items produced in both shops are contemporary but created in a historic fashion. Both the Blacksmith Shop and the Textile Shop will be offering some of their products for sale during Christmas in the Village on December 3 from 10am to 3pm. 

Items for sale from the Blacksmith Shop will include fireplace tools, belt buckles, plant hangers, trivets, bird and squirrel feeders, plain and fancy hooks, candle holders, and other items. Items for sale from the Textile Shop will include rag shoulder bags, table runners, hand spindle kits (complete with fleece), old-fashioned spool knitters, and knitted dishcloths.

Stop in during the weekly open house on any Sunday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm, or during a special event like Christmas in the Village. Feel what it’s like to slow down, take a break from the busy-ness of life, and maybe experience for yourself the joy of creation.

For more information about the Blacksmith Shop visit https://mahsmi.org/blacksmith-shop/

The Blacksmith Shop

Margaret Shaw teaching on the rug loom

Forge

Forged items

Tape loom close up

Woven rug totes

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.