Watch our blacksmiths demonstrate their trade using authentic tools and techniques. We also offer blacksmithing classes through our Blacksmith School.

Meet Our Blacksmiths

  • Bill

    Blacksmithing has been an interest since an early age after seeing one at a steam engine show that my Dad took me to. I dabbled in it as a hobby, having had some rudimentary training in high school. When I became a Revolutionary War reenactor in 1990, I became more immersed in the craft in an effort to broaden my portrayal of 18th Century life. One month after my last Revolutionary War event in the fall of 2000, now an 18th century citizen, I started volunteering at the blacksmith shop at Jerusalem Mill. Blacksmithing is a craft that you learn by doing. I think that trying to recreate the style of 18th Century iron work is an enjoyable challenge, and I really enjoy interacting with visitors to the shop.

  • Bridget

    I started as a self-taught blacksmith at Steppingstone Farm Museum in late 2015. In 2019, I added Jerusalem Mill to learn more about colonial era hardware, and to have an opportunity to wear the outfit I previously wore as a Revolutionary War re-enactor.

  • Tom

    In 2016 I attended a First Day Hike here at Jerusalem Mill and was awed by the Blacksmith demonstration in the Forge. I became an apprentice and now volunteer as a Blacksmith and help with the apprentice program. Forging iron is an amazing craft requiring careful attention to every detail; continual learning; great moments of success and failure; and a very unique creative process.

Jerusalem Mill Blacksmith School

The Jerusalem Mill Blacksmith School is accepting students at the Historic Jerusalem Mill Village.

Beginner Class
There will be eight beginner classes this year
on the dates listed below.
The basic beginner class is a two-day class:
Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm and
Sunday from 9 am - 5 pm

It will include the fundamentals of blacksmithing; fire making and control; making fire tools, and additional forging if time allows.
Registration is limited to four students per class.
We must have a minimum of 2 students per weekend class. Price is $250.00 for the two-day class.
This Includes all of the material and students take home their work.

Beginner Class Dates for 2024-25
October 19 & 20
November 16 & 17
December 14 & 15
January 18 & 19
February 15 & 16
March 15 & 16th
April 19 & 20
May 17 & 18

Intermediate Class
One Day Class - Schedule TBD

Intermediate classes are for smiths that have already
taken a beginner’s class in blacksmithing. If you have taken a beginner class, please let us know when, where and the level of experience so we may verify the information.
Cost is $150 per student.

Requirements & Registration Information

If a student is under 18 years old, they must be between 14 and 17 years of age and must be accompanied by a fully paying adult over the age of 18 with a waiver form signed by the parent or guardian.

The $250.00 is due two weeks from the time of the scheduling. If you cancel the class, there is a $50.00 nonrefundable deposit. We accept check, cash, or credit cards. If we do not receive the money and/or there is no communication two weeks after our initial contact, your spot will be filled.  Classes fill up quickly and there is usually a waiting list.

Instructors: Kit Wattenbarger and Jeff Magness

For more information or to register please text or phone: Jeff Magness at 443-846-9555 or e-mail jwmagness@verizon.net

New! Open Forge Night

The Jerusalem Mill Blacksmith School has started an Open Forge Night. This is where students of blacksmithing can come to the shop one night a month and practice smithing, meet other smiths, and work on a project. We will probably have a demonstration and/or have a student do a demonstration if they choose.  To participate in the Open Forge Night, you must have completed a Beginner Class from our course or from another school with proof of course.

It will be held on the third Thursday of every month for 2 hours between 6pm and 8 pm. There is no sign up or notification of attending. Just show up! Park on the hard top of the Mill. Understand it may be crowded, but it will be a good opportunity to meet other smiths.