Release Date

The public will be able to enjoy traditional arts demonstrations in a historic setting at Jefferson Landing State Historic Site on Saturday, April 25 from 2-5 p.m. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the traditional outdoor blacksmith "hammer-in" will take place on the front lawn of the Lohman Building.

In partnership with the Missouri Folk Arts Program, the site will host three master blacksmiths who will demonstrate a variety of blacksmithing techniques using coal forges, anvils and various handmade tools. Bernard Tappel of Jefferson City will create Osage/Gasconade River "gigs," used for fish "gigging". Robert Alexander of DeSoto and Pat Mcarty of Washington, Mo. will create and display functional and artistic hand-forged objects for restoration and custom projects. Both will combine blacksmithing and woodworking skills in their work.

The Missouri Folk Arts Program is funded by the Missouri Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and is administered by the Museum of Art and Archaeology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Since 1984, the Missouri Folk Arts Program has documented, conserved and presented Missouri’s living folk arts and folk life in collaboration with Missouri’s citizens.

Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, which is part of the Missouri state park system, is located at 100 Jefferson Street in Jefferson City. For more information about the event, call the Missouri State Museum office at 573-751-2854. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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