Neighbours shouldn’t be concerned if they hear metal banging near the Fred Light Museum. It’s a sign the old art of blacksmithing is back in town.
The Fred Light Museum hosted a grand opening of its new blacksmith shop over the weekend. The new museum attraction is built based on photos of the former Eagle Hills Blacksmith shop, which was located at 231 - 21st St. in Battleford.
Neil Smith, who recently passed away, used to work at the shop.
Festivities began with traditional highland dancing, and piping by Robert McFayden.
Museum manager Bernadette Leslie thanked those who built the shop, concrete companies, the museum board, donors, volunteers and summer students at the museum.
Leslie said she’s excited about the blacksmith shop, and blacksmith Justin Miller did different demonstrations. Miller said he’d be at the museum a few times a week.
Regarding Miller’s skills, Leslie said he can make “pretty well everything you ask for,” including gates, floral designs and tools.
Mayor Ames Leslie said building the blacksmith shop was a dream come true for some community members, and thanked Eagle Hills for letting part of their history be part of the Town of Battleford’s as well.
Other museum buildings were open for the public to explore. Bernadette Leslie said she was pleased with the turnout.
