Make an
impact today

Luckily for this old blacksmith shop, the Amana Arts Guild stepped in to help preserve it. When they contacted me originally to come teach classes, we met in this shop. The first steps I took into it, looking around at all the history of it I fell in love. Looking around the walls, and seeing the 170+ years of history along with its unique forge and setup made me love it more. Originally built in the mid 1800s it’s stood the test of time, now it’s needing a lot of repairs to keep it standing for the future generations. To see a building where it helped not only build the community, but also shape the world we live in today. Currently we are in the process of getting a grant, but those take awhile to process. So I’m taking donations to help fund the repairs I make while we wait. Structurally the shop is sound as of today, but old stone foundation is about to give, the flooring is starting to rot, the old forge and equipment need repairs, and maintenance.

We have plans for the shop to keep teaching classes, and give tours but in order to keep those goals set we need to ensure the shop is protected.

It’s not only the West Amana blacksmith shop that needs the repairs, I’ve had my eyes out for other buildings in need of work too. One of the biggest things I push with my business is restoration. Old things were built to last, and in today’s world trying to find something new that’ll even make it ten years or more is difficult. So much history and craftsmanship has been lost in the name of progress, and just pure ignorance of things of old. Most people today see an old building and think plowing it down to rebuild new is the way to go. In some cases that may be true, but in my eyes everything can be saved in some way. Some of my biggest goals are to save a few old buildings within the next 5 years, but I can’t do it without help. I’m on a blacksmith’s budget with millionaire dreams. Granted I’d rather own an old buckboard over a Porsche.

My main goal as of today is to help preserve the Blacksmith shop, and every dollar you donate will go towards that until it’s fixed up and ready to last another 170 years. Once that’s fixed I might start looking at finding an old building or house that needs some work.

None of the donations will go directly into my pocket, the entire point of this is preserve history. If you’re anything like me you hate seeing abandoned buildings just sitting to rot, until someone comes in with a dozer to push it down. There’s so many beautiful old buildings and homes in rural Iowa that have already been lost with stories they can no longer tell, and I truly hate to see it. Any donation helps, and anyone who donates as long as you leave your name will receive a discount on all of the work I sell whether it be for a set of railings to a hand full of “J” hooks, and possibly even some discounts on classes.

If you’re interested in learning more about my goals with the West Amana shop or even on helping save a couple of buildings or homes in rural Iowa don’t be afraid to reach out. My personal phone number is 515-249-9210. Also keep an eye out on both my Facebook and Instagram pages to see the progress we’ve made on my goals!