1800s Blacksmithing Comes Alive at the South Frontenac Museum

Apr 16, 2025

By Kelli McRobert

Dressed in authentic 1866 attire—complete with pants, shirt, suspenders, and vest—Sperry Lee captivated visitors of the South Frontenac Museum with a presentation that transported them back to the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.

The museum, nestled in Hartington, Ontario, became a portal to the past, hosting the seasoned artisan for a lively exploration of blacksmithing history and its evolution through time.

Sperry, a local resident, is no stranger to engaging crowds. An integral part of Upper Canada Village’s team, he has spent over 15 years sharing his deep knowledge and passion for blacksmithing with visitors.

Although not a fully qualified blacksmith, Sperry’s hands-on experience and dedication make his demonstrations both authentic and captivating.

Upper Canada Village, renowned for showcasing 19th-century life, features a working blacksmith shop where skilled artisans forge tools and create metalwork using age-old techniques—a tradition Sperry proudly continues.

During his introduction, Sperry shared anecdotes of his journey into historical re-enactments, beginning as an archer demonstrating Medieval techniques.

He transitioned into carpentry and blacksmithing roles, becoming a fixture of the Upper Canada Village experience.

His presentation at the South Frontenac Museum offered a taste of this fascinating world, blending story telling with interactive activities to enthrall the crowd.

The museum’s setting added to the charm, with its walls adorned with relics of yesteryears. Among the displays, a large pram stuffed with resting dolls and a weathered wellhead stood as silent witnesses to the day’s event.

The blacksmithing lesson delved into the craft’s nuances, from the extreme heat required—up to 2700 degrees Fahrenheit—at which point metal melts, to the importance of the forge and fuel sources.

A forge is a workshop or furnace used by blacksmiths to heat metal until it's malleable, allowing them to shape it through hammering and other techniques. It's the heart of blacksmithing, where raw materials are transformed into tools, weapons, and other creations. The forge typically includes a hearth, bellows for injecting air, and fuel like charcoal or coal to maintain the intense heat required for metalworking. It's a place of both artistry and craftsmanship!

Sperry explained how blacksmiths once relied on charcoal, cutting down vast swathes of forest to produce it, before coal emerged as a less environmentally damaging alternative.

One engaging activity allowed attendees to examine various blacksmith-crafted items, guessing their functions as they passed each piece through the crowd. From anvils to awls, plumbs, and saw blades, each tool sparked curiosity and conversation.

One fun piece was the chamberstick—that could also be weaponized or another stumper was a tool used to bend or "set" the teeth of a saw outward in alternating directions. This technique created a wider kerf, ensuring smoother cutting and making the saw a more effective tool.

Sperry’s vivid explanations revealed the saw set’s pivotal role in maintaining saws during the 19th century, offering insights into the dual purposes some tools served, even during barroom brawls!

Volunteers from the museum played an essential role, assisting in the demonstration and maintaining order when chatter threatened to overpower Sperry’s soft-spoken style. The presentation ended with laugh ter, learning, and newfound appreciation for a trade that shaped communities. For those interested in experiencing the charm of a working blacksmith shop firsthand, Upper Canada Vil lage remains the perfect destination. Its fully functional blacksmith and millwright shops provide an immersive glimpse into the craftsmanship of a bygone era. The South Frontenac Museum’s partnership with Sperry exemplifies its commitment to preserving and celebrating local history.

You can find the South Frontenac Museum in Hartington, Ontario, at 5595 Road 38, Hartington, ON. Their contact number is 613 376-3027 Ext 2600. "May your forge burn bright and your hammer strike true." ■