One of the life savors of Goochland is the annual open house
event at the historic Jackson Blacksmith Shop near Sandy Hook, held on June 14.
In days gone by, blacksmiths, who literally kept things
together, were an important part of the community.
 |
| In days gone by simple tools and the skill of the blacksmith held things together |
Henry Jackson, born around 1926 during slavery, began the family blacksmithing tradition opening his own shop near the current site in 1880. His son, G. Wilson Jackson, Sr. built a shop in the area and his son George W. Jackson, Jr., practiced his trade at the existing shop, built in 1932, until the early 1970’s.
The shop was restored in 1995 and registered as a National
Historic Landmark in 1997. Visit https://jbshop.squarespace.com/
for details.
 |
| Jackson descendant Jeff Mabry shares history of the shop |
Delightful toe tapping music floated on an early summer breeze
as people perused exhibits, danced, enjoyed toothsome food offerings, and
visited with friends old and new.
 |
| A beautiful afternoon |
 |
| Bluebell the Fairy has magical talents |
Bluebell the Fairy mystified with her magic. Representatives
of the Second Union School and Museum (https://secondunionrosenwaldschool.org/);
the Goochland Historical Society and 250th Commission (https://www.goochlandhistory.org/);
shop tours; and demonstrations by a farrier and members of the Central Virginia
Blacksmith Guild (https://cvbg.org/) were among
the interesting exhibits.
 |
| How wagon wheels were repaired |
 |
| Farrier shoeing a horse |
 |
| Blacksmithing demonstration |
Jackson descendant Jeff Mabry explained how blacksmiths used
their skill, ingenuity, and simple tools to build and repair equipment vital to
local farms. He explained how his grandfather designed a hammer that was less
likely to break than a typical claw hammer.
 |
| Jeff Mabry and special hammer designed by his grandfather |
Goochland’s new county administrator Jeremy Raley, who started
work on June 9, and District 2 Supervisor Neil Spoonhower were among those who
enjoyed the event.
No comments:
Post a Comment