A brand new 1880’s William Allday & Co Ltd Blacksmiths Forge has been installed at Blists Hill Victorian Town.
A blacksmith's forge in the 21st century is both rare and sought-after, in what is a specialist industry. Made completely form cast iron, the new forge was manufactured in Stourport-on-Seven before taking up residence in the Blacksmith's workshop at Blists Hill Victorian Town.
An accurate reimagination of Victorian life is what makes Blists Hill Victorian Town such a popular attraction, so the addition of this new asset goes a long way in bringing to life the types of industry that were prevalent during the Victorian era.
Jack Sampson is the Museum's resident blacksmith, “We are so grateful to have the new forge here at Blists Hill Victorian Town, being able to display how Blacksmiths work in a functioning workshop is such a fun and valuable asset to the museum”, he said.
The forge in question is one of the first manufactured by William Allday & Co before the company merge with John C Onions in 1885, creating the better-known Allday and Onions Birmingham.
“I have been blacksmithing since I was 12 and the new forge is going to enable me to continue that passion right here at Blists Hill Victorian Town.
“Being able to show visitors exactly how a workshop of this era would have been and how blacksmiths operated is so valuable, so being able to continue that is great news for us”, added Sampson.
Just before the two companies merged William Allday & Co were forced to start manufacturing bikes rather than cast iron forges as work during the period dried up. Highlighting just how valuable this type of equipment is today and how lucky Blists Hill are to have a new one fully installed and in operation.
Richard Aldred, Marketing & Communications Manager at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, said: “This new forge is really important to the visitor experience here at Blists Hill Victorian Town, it gives visitors the chance to take in all the sights and sounds that would have been commonplace had you walked through the town during the 19th century."
Historical artifacts in full working order are just one of the many things that really helps Blists Hill Victorian Town to paint an ever-growing picture of Victorian life. This attention to detail coupled with skilled reenactors like Jack Sampson are all part of keeping blacksmithing alive today.