Blacksmithing 2019 – Intensive Learning @ MFS

Blacksmithing Day 5: …and Chris fell into the creek.

March 29, 2019March 29, 2019Blog Editor

We started our day with a glorious bus ride to Bryn Mawr. Traffic was light, surprisingly, and we were all anxious to get working on our projects. As we arrived, we put our belongings inside the Harriton house and then went out to the forges to start the fires. Two of the fires started...

Blacksmithing Day 3: Cowbells and Kazoos

March 28, 2019March 28, 2019Blog Editor

This is Todd’s story… Today is the first day I came to blacksmith. Actually, I had no idea about what I should do at first. Luckily, with Jack and Cole’s help, I found my tools quickly, and begin trying to burn the fire. At the beginning, we wrongly mixed coal with cardboard and wood....

Blacksmithing Day 3: Howard said, “The fire was hot.”

March 27, 2019March 27, 2019Blog Editor

At the end of the day two smiths worked together to make the “Sussman C”, inspired by activity they did before reading The Scarlet Letter. In class, they had considered the possibility of being punished for cheating by wearing a metal C and the morals behind it. So they created a “C” by bending...

Harriton House of Burgers

March 26, 2019March 26, 2019Blog Editor

On our second day of Blacksmithing, we finally got to play with fire! After a LONG time struggling to light the fires, we were saved by Bruce. With much effort, the forges began to burn, growing stronger as more coal and more air were added. As we worked to maintain the blaze of the...

Blacksmithing Day 1

March 23, 2019March 23, 2019Blog Editor

Today at blacksmithing, we had an orientation day. We started off by learning about the many tools a skilled blacksmith can make at the forge. We then took a tour of the Harriton House, an old 1700s residence. We saw where the former residents lived and cooked. Bruce, our guide, also showed us tools...