Woodruff Blacksmith Shop

Our blacksmith shop is a replica modeled after the Stubbs Blacksmith Shop, which was a functioning blacksmith's shop in Lumpkin built circa 1850. The forge, which is the large brick portion of the building, uses coals and air to heat metal so it becomes malleable. Oxygen is crucial in making the metal hot enough to work with. The large block of iron sitting on the tree stump is an anvil. A blacksmith uses it as a base and guide to shaping iron. The other major tool that would be used is a hammer. With these simple items, many products can be made such as nails, S-hooks, and knives. Blacksmiths were an essential part of a town or farming community in the 19th century, just like what we portray at Westville.

In 1973, a groundbreaking blacksmithing conference was held at Historic Westville that resulted in the creation of the Artist-Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA).