The Anchorage House Museum will be open on the second Monday from 6-7p .
Welcome!
THE GTHS SCHOOL OF BLACKSMITHING
Located just beyond our 19th century replica timber frame shop is the very active GTHS School of Blacksmithing. Our resident blacksmith Jamie Gier has put our school on the map, organizing classes in blacksmithing skills, knife making, metal arts, and more, led by talented instructors and artisans.
2024 Classes
New class added to the schedule on October 25, 26 & 27th...Check it out below!
October 25, 26 & 27 - 18th Century style Polled Tomahawk. During this three day course participants will learn methods to forge and finish an 18th century style polled tomahawk by employing the punch eye method on high carbon steel. Additionally, students will learn methods to successfully heat treat and temper their tomahawk heads, as well as shaping, fitting and finishing handles from a wooden blank.
No experience necessary to attend. Instruction will be tailored to suit individual needs in a relaxed learning environment. This course includes materials and lunches. Class starts at 0800 hours each day and will conclude when everyone is at an acceptable stopping point for the next steps. A required individual tool and equipment list will be sent to attendees.
Any questions about the course or the tool list, please contact Instructor Bart Dellinger at 540-331-0145. Class fee is $425 including materials. Make checks payable to Goshen Township Historical Society and mail to Jamie Gier, 6777 Linton Rd., Goshen, Ohio 45122.
Five spots are left for October 5 & 6th with Josh Rachita who will teach the principals of 18th century reproduction ironwork by focusing on kitchen utensils. Forging techniques, filing and whitesmithing will be learned in the traditional manner taught and used at Colonial Williamsburg. Tution $350 plus $25 materials fee.
One spot left for November 1, 2 & 3rd in the Frank House and Joe Seabolt knife class. This class folks get to forge and finish either a through tang or slab handle knife. Learn to pour pewter bolsters, add cross guards. Covers forging techniques, heat treating, filing and aging processes to take home a knife of heirloom quality. Tuition $525 plus $25 material fee.
November 16 & 17th Brass foundry class This class is full for the but you can put your name on a waiting list . If we get enough people interested we will schedule a repeat date.
If you have requested a spot in any of these classes please send a deposit of 50% to secure your spot.
Please follow our Facebook page Goshen Historical Society School of Blacksmithing for photos and to share information with our private group.
Jamie Gier
419-209-2661
Follow us on Facebook "Goshen Historical Society School of Blacksmithing"
Blacksmith CLASSES & Events
Upcoming Classes
- May 17-19th: Butt Plate & Trigger Guard Seminar. Frank House and Joe Seabolt will lead you throught the process of forging iron hardware for flint rock rifles. Techniques and proper shape and proportion are explained and demonstrated. All these techniques can be adapted into forging endless other hardware items. Class involves forge welding and fire brazing. The cost is $550 per registration.
- May 25-26th: Joinery Techniques with Ed Brazeal. Participants will learn various methods of traditional joinery including collaring, rivets, forge welding, mortice and tenons to create artistic and functional pieces. These methods can be adapted and used to create a limitless variety of items. We will discuss the suitability of these different methods and compare the advantages and disadvantages of different applications. Ed will also cover "candle cup joinery" and scroll work. $400 per registration. Please go to our Facebook group: Goshen Historical Society School of Blacksmithing where Ed Brazeal will post some photos of items the class will work on.
- June 1-2nd Brute de Forge Knife lead by Butch Sheely and Joe Seabolt. Forge a unique Hunting Knife with swelled finger guard and forge scale on the spine. Both Instructors are known for their high-quality knives and run a great class. $400 per registration.
- June 22-23rd: Joe Seabolt and Joe McGee Backwoods Knife class. Participants will be lead through the process of transforming a piece of 1095 bar stock into a finished knife with basic tools. The cost is $375 plus $25 for materials.
- October 5 & 6th: 18th Century Reproduction Ironwork. Josh Rachita will teach principals of the 18th century reproduction ironwork by focusing on kitchen utensils. Forging techniques, filing and white smithing will be learned in the traditional manner taught and used at Colonial Williamsburg. The cost is $350 plus $25 material fee.
- October 25, 26 & 27, 2024: 18th Century Style Polled Tomahawk. Participants will learn methods to forge and an 18th Century style polled tomahawk by employing the punched eye method on high carbon steel. The cost is $425 which includes materials.
- November 1-3rd: Frank House and Joe Seabolt Knife Class. This class folks get to forge and finish either a through tang or slab handle knife. Learn to pour pewter bolsters, add cross guards. Covers forging techniques, heat treating, filing and aging processes to take home a knife of heirloom quality. The cost is $525 plus $25 for materials. There are only a couple spots left.
- November 16 & 17th Frank House is offering a class on pouring brass gun parts. He will provide the masters for participants to copy using sand cast models to make their own hardware for flintlock rifles. I do not have all the details at this point, but more information will be coming.
We are still working on fall class offerings. Please check again for updates.
To register contact Jamie Gier at 419.209.2661. Payment can be made directly on our website or if paying by check, make payable to GTHS and mail to 6777 Linton Rd. Goshen OH 45122.
Please let Resident Blacksmith Jamie Gier know other areas of study you would be interested to see on our schedule. All of the classes have a limited number of spots available. Please note: if we do not have enough participants to break even (covering instructor and materials costs), the class will be cancelled and registered participants will be issued a full refund.
Payment options for courses
Class size varies from 6 to 10, depending on instructor’s preference. Deposit of 50% required to hold your spot. Payment in full is preferred.
- Payment by check (preferred) made payable to Goshen Twp. Historical Society and mailed to Jamie Gier 6777 Linton Rd. Goshen, OH 45122.
- Pay by credit card (scroll down to the PayPal button) at www.goshenhistory.org. If you pay by credit card, please select the option to cover the nominal PayPal fee otherwise assessed to the historical society.
Regardless of your selected payment type, contact Jamie Gier confirm your reserved spot for the class by phone 419.209.2661 or email jamie@evansfuneralhome.com
A UNIQUE LOCATION
The Cook Log Cabin Heritage Center
Known for more than 100 years as the Cook Farm, the Cook Log Cabin Heritage Center features a restored 1803 log cabin, a century old bank barn, a replica 19th century timber frame blacksmith shop and livery, and several other outbuildings. Near the back of the property, in a transformed 1950's barn, is the GTHS School of Blacksmithing. The former Cook Farm now serves as a living history site, depicting farm life from pioneer times through the Great Depression era. This rural setting, dotted with structures from times gone by, adds to the experience of those who come to learn blacksmithing and other metal arts.
GTHS Blacksmith News
Blacksmithing Coke for Sale
We have recently purchased 3.5 tons of blacksmithing coke, the best solid fuel used by our resident blacksmith. Nice .5" x 1.5" chucks. Burns hot and clean with no smoke or dust. It is available for 50 cents per pound. Bring your own containers. A scale is available at the GTHS School of Blacksmithing ( 5 gallon bucket weighs 24 pounds). Coke is lighter by volume than coal and has higher BTUs.
Blacksmith Supplies for Sale
We have coke, butcher block brushes, and Kevlar gloves available through the GTHS School of Blacksmithing. Proceeds go to facility improvements.
Thanks to Our Generous Corporate Partners for Your Support
