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Historical Society to open new blacksmith exhibit
Date and Time
Saturday Oct 5, 2019
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM CDTSaturday, Oct. 5
11 a.m.-3 p.m.Location
Mount Prospect Historical Society
101 S. Maple St.
Mount Prospect, IL 60056Fees/Admission
Free
Website
Contact Information
Cindy Bork
Send EmailDescription
The Mount Prospect Historical Society is adding another exhibit to its bustling downtown Mount Prospect campus this fall.
The southern portion of the old Friedrichs carriage house behind the museum at 101 S. Maple Street has been transformed into a blacksmith exhibit, which will open to the public at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 5.
Following the dedication ceremony, which will involve numerous descendants of Mount Prospect Blacksmith John Meyn, Justin Stech, a modern-day blacksmith, will spend several hours (from noon to 3 p.m.) just outside of the exhibit, demonstrating the trade for members of the public who want to stop by.
A blacksmith is a metalsmith who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal, using tools to hammer, bend and cut. Blacksmiths had a general knowledge of how to make and repair many things, from the most complex weapons and armor to simple things like nails or lengths of chain. Most produce objects such as gates, grilles, railings, light fixtures, furniture, sculpture, tools, agricultural implements, decorative and religious items, cooking utensils and weapons.
A common misconception, according to Stech, is that blacksmiths made horseshoes and attached them to horses’ hooves, as well as making other metal items. But farriers were actually the ones who dealt with horses. Based on stories and photos, however, it appears that the Meyns were both blacksmiths and farriers.
The new Mount Prospect Historical Society exhibit will be an unchanging replica of the late 19th century Meyn shop. In fact, a replica of John Meyn’s Blacksmith Shop sign has been adorning the outside of the carriage house, just above the door, since last spring, as a harbinger of things to come.
“The blacksmith played a very important role in his community,” explains Executive Director Lindsay Rice. “He was a metalsmith, a farrier, a mechanic, a handyman, a neighbor and a friend. This exhibit will educate people of all ages what a blacksmith did, why he was important, and what made John Meyn such a special man.”Tell a Friend