Art of Blacksmithing Taught at Historic Washington State Park

One of Arkansas’s most famous blacksmiths, James Black, is credited with forging one of the original Bowie knives for James “Jim” Bowie in the early 1830s in Washington, Arkansas.

One of the many structures visitors can tour in town at Historic Washington State Park is the Blacksmith Shop, an interpretation center with working forges that pays homage to Black and the blacksmithing trade.

There are chances to learn the craft of forging at the state park each year during their Introduction to Forging Workshops. Check the park website to find an upcoming class.

The town is one of the nation’s premier historic villages and is both a state park and town intermingled and is a National Historic Landmark. For more information visit www.HistoricWashingtonStatePark.com or call 870-983-2684.