Blacksmiths Fire Up Their Forges At Howell Living History Farm Saturday

The blacksmiths fire up their forges on Saturday, Aug. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Howell Living History Farm.

Throughout the day, visitors of all ages can help blacksmiths Mike Erdie and Daniel Lapidow by turning the crank of the forge blower, adding coal to the fire, and carrying water needed for cooling hot steel.

The smithies’ hooks, initialed horseshoes and other items will be for sale. In the barn, farrier Charles Napravnik will be shoeing the farm’s workhorses and checking their feet.

Howell Living History Farm is owned by the County of Mercer and maintained by the Mercer County Park Commission.

It is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29, in Hopewell Township. The GPS address is 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530. Parking and admission are free.

For more information, call the farm office at 609-737-3299 or visit www.howellfarm.org or www.mercercountyparks.org.

The attached image was provided by Mercer County officials: Volunteer blacksmith Mike Erdie works with a young visitor at Howell Living History Farm, which will host a blacksmithing program on Aug. 6.