Iron Works

The shop has persevered its history in the smells, textures, and in the weight of a hammer.

Four black-and-white framed photographs hung on a white brick wall, illuminated by black ceiling lamps above.

Rasmussen Blacksmith Shop was founded in 1893.

Lewistown, Illinois.

I explored over 80 years of its history. Jeff led me through the process. He heated up the coals. Red embers sent crackling sparks into the air. Wheeling his hammer, he showed me how the hands-on work was done. Nothing was better than taking photos in a smokey room with nostalgic odors.

This collection comes with the help of

Jeff Van Ness

“Metal Mangler | Wood Butcher”.

An assortment of vintage woodworking tools, including hammers and mallets, arranged on a rustic wooden table, with some tools resting on top of the table and others inside a wooden box, in a black and white photograph.
A black and white photograph of a wooden container filled with various vintage tools such as hammers, log clamps, and other woodworking instruments, placed on a wooden surface.
Tools of the Trade

This evocative black & white image reveals the raw aftermath—the charred remains and lingering smoke telling a story of resilience and history.

A forge with a small controlled fire burning on a bed of charcoal or coal inside an indoor workshop.
Close-up of a fireplace with flames, surrounded by a dark wooden mantel and white trim, with some tools and objects nearby.
Irons in the Fire

How many people did it take to raise and lower this Bellow?

A woodworking workshop with a boat-shaped wooden project on a workbench, surrounded by tools, in a rustic brick-walled space with a window.
A black and white photograph of a cluttered workshop with a small boat or kayak on a stand, a saw, and various tools against a brick wall. There is a window in the background allowing light to illuminate the scene.
Bellows

The shop has persevered its history in the smells, textures, and in the weight of a hammer.

ironsmith shop, photo, framed
Black and white photo of a workshop or garage with tools and machinery, including a drill press, workbenches, and various equipment along the walls and floor.
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