School group visit to the blacksmith shop

[Ohio Rusty]

Yesterday at the historical village I volunteer at we had 100 students come through learning about village life in the 1850's. I shared with the groups of students the importance of the blacksmith and how he forged everything for the village residents that was made of iron. In this pic I was showing the students the hand forged fish hooks I make. They could relate to that as they all like to fish.

 

[Jo Melon]

I'm just now seeing your post. That's a fine way to connect the past with something the kids can understand today! Forging fish hooks is a perfect demonstration and a quick oil quench on mild steel will make them plenty tough. Did any of the students ask about the time it takes to make one or if they got a hands on moment?

 

[Ohio Rusty]

They didn't ask about the time but they did enjoy handling them. They did comment on how sharp the hooks were.
Ohio Rusty ><>

 

[Billinthedesert]

Keep spreading that gospel, Rusty!
By the way, my kin migrated to Morrow County from Virginia in the 1840s.

 

[Gaspar_Gambler]

It sounds like a great session. If you want to go a step further, you could let one or two students safely strike a piece under supervision just to feel the effort. Even having them mark the steel once gives them a memory.