BOOTHBAY

On Feb. 24 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. the Boothbay Railway Village will host an illustrated lecture by Master Blacksmith Sam H. Smith of the Portland Forge and Maine Blacksmiths Guild. Smith will be discussing his annual European expeditions, undertaken to seek out lost ironwork and reinvent the techniques to bring the work back to life here in North America. He will take a look in depth into regional styles and applications of various works of art in Central Europe — namely Germany, Netherlands and Sweden.

Smith’s first introduction to blacksmithing was at Allaire State Park in New Jersey, the site of the Pine Creek Railroad and a living history museum called Allaire Village. Soon after, he began his profession at age fourteen when he entered the Howell Works Blacksmith’s Guild as an apprentice. Smith learned under several Masters working his way through the ranks of the guild. At the age of 20 he obtained the rank of master and oversaw the Guild’s 1830s era blacksmith shop.

In 2003, Smith moved to Maine and constructed his first shop, Valley Forge, along the Penobscot River. Later, Smith seized the opportunity to lease the original forge (circa 1846) on the site of the historic Portland Company complex where more than 600 locomotives had been manufactured. As it stands today, he runs the only traditional blacksmith shop working full time in the entire state of Maine, the oldest forge in the state, and the largest brick forge in the country.

The talk will take place inside the 1847 Boothbay Town Hall at the Boothbay Railway Village. A donation of $5 is suggested for admission. A warm beverage and homemade dessert will be provided for guests. There will be items for sale for those interested in acquiring a piece of Smith’s work. The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay.

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